M20 tapping

Post Tue Feb 07, 2006 10:21 am

what can it be, its very loud, have been told it could be cam, but does anyone have any other suggestions on how resolve.

much appreciated!!

Post Tue Feb 07, 2006 10:25 am

The tappets may just need adjusting.

Post Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:22 am

I've been told it could also be the fuel injectors. A lot of M20's tend to be tappy. Mine was too.

First stop check the tappet adjustment

Post Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:27 am

JazzMan wrote:I've been told it could also be the fuel injectors. A lot of M20's tend to be tappy. Mine was too.

First stop check the tappet adjustment

Tappets are non-adjustable on M20!

Try the valve clearance first - common problem on these and they do get loud! Look in the Articles on how to do it.

Post Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:28 am

Try the valve clearance first - common problem on these and they do get loud! Look in the Articles on how to do it.[/quote]

THANKS, MUCH APPRECIATED

Post Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:20 pm

[/quote]

Tappets are non-adjustable on M20!

[/quote]

I was speaking to a BMW specialist a few weeks ago and he was saying the tappets are non-hydraulic and can be adjusted by loosening the small nut on the top, tighten the screw up then lock the nut up again, obviously using feeler guages for the correct setting... i'll stand corrected tho if im wrong/be given wrong info

Post Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:24 pm

kenwoir wrote:I was speaking to a BMW specialist a few weeks ago and he was saying the tappets are non-hydraulic and can be adjusted by loosening the small nut on the top, tighten the screw up then lock the nut up again, obviously using feeler guages for the correct setting... i'll stand corrected tho if im wrong/be given wrong info

This is what I had always thought, we shall see once my engine is running again as I need to do mine

Post Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:42 pm

The tappets ARE adjustable on the M20 engines, ive just had mine done.

Post Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:43 pm

the tappets or VALVE CLEARANCES are 100 percent adjustable via the eccentric cam and locknut.
m40 engines ARE NOT,if they ra tappin its dosh time.

Post Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:51 pm

tapping or ticking are very different.

ticking at a certain rpm may well be injectors -mine do at around 2k
constant tick may well be valve clearances or AKA tappets

tapping loudly could well be cam wear -remove cam cover to inspect!!!!

oil/filter changed recently?

Post Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:59 pm

gcorky wrote:tapping or ticking are very different.

ticking at a certain rpm may well be injectors -mine do at around 2k
constant tick may well be valve clearances or AKA tappets

tapping loudly could well be cam wear -remove cam cover to inspect!!!!

oil/filter changed recently?

I've have recently changed my oil/filter, and engine flush but no glory,, can you recommend what i can do!!

Post Tue Feb 07, 2006 1:03 pm

i have ticking/tapping, whatever it wants to be called, when accelerating, best way to describe it is it's like the sound of the old fiesta engines, if that makes sense. It's not what you would call loud and with the radio on it cant be heard. I'm gonna adjust the tappets when i change the rocker cover and see how that goes.

Post Tue Feb 07, 2006 1:24 pm

kenwoir wrote:i have ticking/tapping, whatever it wants to be called, when accelerating, best way to describe it is it's like the sound of the old fiesta engines, if that makes sense. It's not what you would call loud and with the radio on it cant be heard. I'm gonna adjust the tappets when i change the rocker cover and see how that goes.

thats what it exactly sounds like geez, let me know how you get on, then i could do the same..

Post Tue Feb 07, 2006 1:30 pm

remove cam cover -inspect lobes for ridges or pitting.could also check valve clearances at same time.

is it more prominent inside the car?if it is remove horn push and plug the steering column hole.

also may seem daft but ive seen it !are the spark plugs tight ???sounds quite nasty with a loose one!

exhaust manifold ok -no broken studs,leakin

just a few ideas because its hard to diagnose without seeing vehicle.

Post Tue Feb 07, 2006 1:34 pm

i'm 99% sure its the tappets, i had the rocker off when i was servicing the car and all looked sweet within and fitted a new gasket, all studs are fine and tight, new plugs are ok and tight, new manifold gaskets fitted also and all sealed well so i'd be sure i can eliminate all of them.

Will let you know asap mate

Post Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:03 pm

kenwoir wrote:i'm 99% sure its the tappets, i had the rocker off when i was servicing the car and all looked sweet within and fitted a new gasket, all studs are fine and tight, new plugs are ok and tight, new manifold gaskets fitted also and all sealed well so i'd be sure i can eliminate all of them.

Will let you know asap mate

MUCH APPRECIATED THE ADVICE...

Post Wed Feb 08, 2006 6:17 am

gcorky wrote:
is it more prominent inside the car?if it is remove horn push and plug the steering column hole.

also may seem daft but ive seen it !

GCORKY i really thot you were on glue when i read this yesterday..lol just kidding mate, but when i was driving home from work i drove with my head out window, then back in with the window up and it is more prominent inside the car so i pulled the horn push off and the ticking got a bit louder, stuck my finger over the wee hole on the end of the steering column and BINGO, no more ticking to be heard. Good job fella, makes for a nice quiet drive now.

Post Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:11 am

Simple, yet effective! I like it

Post Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:15 am

I stuck a bit of bluetack on mine, and what a difference!

Post Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:19 am

when i changed my steering wheel to a tech 2 on mine it had a piece of dum dum over the hole in the column,i thought "whats that sh@t doing in there" and didnt put it back but as i havnt driven it yet i cant say if it ticks or not.

at least i know now

Post Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:06 am

kenwoir wrote:
gcorky wrote:
is it more prominent inside the car?if it is remove horn push and plug the steering column hole.

also may seem daft but ive seen it !

GCORKY i really thot you were on glue when i read this yesterday..lol just kidding mate, but when i was driving home from work i drove with my head out window, then back in with the window up and it is more prominent inside the car so i pulled the horn push off and the ticking got a bit louder, stuck my finger over the wee hole on the end of the steering column and BINGO, no more ticking to be heard. Good job fella, makes for a nice quiet drive now.

glue lol ,cheers

Post Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:54 pm

To determine whether tapping/ticking is from valvetrain or injectors, use a long screwdriver, place the blade on the area in question (For instance, rocker cover) and put your ear to the handle, much like a stethoscope!

Injectors shouldn't tick when engine braking above arouns 2500rpm as they shoudln't be firing, although they could be difficult to hear anyway!