What tappets have I got and how do I adjust them? 1982 1.8i

Hi there,
our car is suffering form noisy tappets. It is a 1982 1.8 inj and had a re-bulid in may 2007 - around 129,000 miles. The history records that the cam was checked and deemed ok. The mileage is now 132,000 miles.
I have just taken it to a local garage and he would like to know some questions about the engine.

1. does the car have an adjustable rocker?
2. is it an over head cam engine?
3. can he adjust it without getting the cam off?

The mechanic at the garage seems to think that a shim is maybe spinning on the tappet as when you rev it slightly it quietens a little? He said to give it an oil change and put some oil addative in to help it quieten? it had a service in January.
What oil do you recommend? And, how are the tappets adjusted? Is it as big a job as the mechanic makes out it could be?
All help would be appreciated! please don't respond with take it to another garage as I would like to know myself too. Many thanks.
oh another 2 quick question, what does the stalk on the rev counter with on orange 1 and 2 position do? Is there a common fault with the MFA as the button doesn't work on ours and the clock is the only thing showing digitally? thanks again!

yes it will probably be an over head cam, it will probably have hydraulic tappets which i dont think can be adjusted, one easy solution would be to use some STP or equivilant which thickens your oil and reduces tappet noise.

lukenurs said

Hi there,

1. does the car have an adjustable rocker?
2. is it an over head cam engine?
3. can he adjust it without getting the cam off?

What oil do you recommend? And, how are the tappets adjusted? Is it as big a job as the mechanic makes out it could be?

oh another 2 quick question, what does the stalk on the rev counter with on orange 1 and 2 position do? Is there a common fault with the MFA as the button doesn't work on ours and the clock is the only thing showing digitally?

1. No, there are no "rockers", the camshaft lobes ride directly on the "followers" (often called lifters whitch are used in a pushrod/rocker setup).
2. Yes, it is an overhead cam engine.
3. Yes. It does require one or two tools that not every person has, but a shop should. One pushes the follower down and holds it and the other grabs the shim to remove/replace it.

15W-40 or there abouts would be good for your older engine. Adjustment is done by checking the clearance between each follower top and the camshaft and replacing shims to get it correct if need be. No, it is not really all that hard, just a little time consuming. Only the parts which are in the way of removing the valve cover have to be taken off.

Position 1 is for current readings, i.e. miles traveled, miles per gallon, etc. "this trip". Position 2 is cumulative readings, i.e. miles traveled since last reset. No common problems and they seem to hold up rather good. That said, it could be bad as it does happen just like with any part.