Hydraulic Tappets

[Ralph S3]

Hi All,

I have a 1990 S3 upon which I am nearing completion of an engine rebuild. Yesterday I put the heads back on and while cleaning everything up I realised my engine has hydraulic tappet lifters. Now, I know perceived wisdom is that these were only fitted to some S3c's but I had these out and based on the pic in this thread http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=3&a... they are definitely hydraulic.

Normally with solid lifters after replacing the head gaskets I would reset the tappets. I have no idea how one resets hydraulic tappets so I have a question for the forum. When I removed the rocker arms I didn't move any of the adjustment bolts. Everything has gone back in exactly as it came out. I notice in both the Granada and Sierra workshop manuals the procedure for removing/refitting the heads makes no mention of adjusting tappets. It simply states under no circumstances move the rocker arm adjusting bolts.

This being the case, am I OK to just leave the tappets as they are?

Thanks...Ralph

[glenrobbo]

Just google "How do I adjust hydraulic tappets?"

Here's an example:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LpkrNouFauA&itct...

HTH

[tvrgit]

The proper information and procedure you need, for this specific engine, is set out here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

In summary, what you have to do is turn the engine until both valves on No 1 cylinder are closed (ie cylinder 5 is "on the rock" ) and open up the adjusters and then tighten them until you have only j u s t removed all the clearance - then wind them in by one and a half turns to get the right preloads - then turn the engine 1/3 of a turn until cylinder 3 is on the rock, and adjust valves on cylinder 4 as above - then get 6 on the rock and adjust 2, and so on...

Edited by tvrgit on Tuesday 5th April 18:55