hi everyone

just put a deposit on a cabriolet need some advice about the hydraulic tappets do i do a oil change first or get the tappets done how much? or do i just drop a recon engine in the car has done 190,000 any advice welcome  

Hi and welcome!

Is there a problem with the tappets?

Unless engine completely shot, don't think about recon yet - Golf engines are pretty solid - head work may be enough if there's an issue

Cheers
Andy

hi it is just what the seller told me it is noisier when cold then it is quiter when warm i drove it and it started fine

the tappets are abit loud till the oil warms up have a look at this                     http://dana.ucc.nau.edu/~kaw5/howto.htm

190k on the original engine, without a top end rebuild, is doing good. What makes you think the tappets need sorting? If they need work, I'd be tempted to also do a cylinder leakdown test, to see how the valves themselves are sealing, this will also check out the rings. Also, does it use oil or produce blue smoke, eg on overrun from high engine speed but throttle closed (blue smoke here, indicates valve stem seals).

If its just the tappets its not too bad a job. If its tappets and valves, then that's a top end rebuild. If the rings are going/gone, then most cost-effective would be a reconditioned or replacement engine.