Ticky engine.....

[William]

My m20 is very ticky, stuffing the steering column hole has helped reduce cabin noise but its not very nice from outside - the overiding noise when at the front of the car as the tick tick tick from the tappets (I guess), not really the 6pot purr I am aiming for!!

What are the possible remedies for this and what sort of cost am I looking at to sort it out?

thanks

[Steviec]

As far as im aware, the tappets just need adjusting, or at worst, replacing.
Its quite common on BMW's.

[Gwynleym10]

Also could be injectors, put a screw driver touching them to your ear-handle by your ear- you should be able to tell if its them

Also exhaust manifold/studs can tick badly, does it increase with engine speed?