Tappet Adjustment

[yellowcerbie]

Sorry to be asking a silly question, but can anyone explain, to a non-mechanic or engineer, why tappet adjustments are a necessity at the 12k or 24 month service? How does one know whether or not the car needs the adjustment?

We use our 4.5 as a 2nd car and have only done just over 7k over the last 2 years.

Many thanks.

[dannylt]

Basically, all parts of the valve train wear, the cams, followers, shims, and the valves stretch. The shims can be changed to keep the tolerances correct. If you get out of tolerance, then you can potentially cause a lot of damage, and you will also have running problems, so it's well worth checking.

Having said that, seems moderately unlikely that yours will actually need adjusting. If I were you, I would definitely pay for the work to be done though, just in case.

[bilton_d]

I was told the more frequently the cars is used the less likey they are to go out of adjustment .... not sure how the dealer gets that but that's what they have told me .... just booked mine in today to get them done.

[gazzab]

Well I got mine adjusted yesterday and I think I now own the record for the cheapest cerbie service?!?!
Had a new drop link arm, fag lighter fixed, air con inspected, tappets adjusted (foc), new oil and filter, coolant leak fixed, new coolant, new bonnet catch etc etc All for £120 inc vat. Thanks to Andy at APM !!
Andy adjusted the tappets in 4 1/2 hrs. So even if I had paid for it it wouldnt have been more than £170 quid for the tappets I guess. Dont believe I would have got away with less than £700 for all that work at a dealer.

[yellowcerbie]

Thanks for the comments. My dealer has run a few checks incl a test drive and confirmed that tappets adjustments are not required at this service.

Gazzab - would be interested to know how you managed to get the tappets done for free?

[gazzab]

Got em done for free as I had the engine rebuilt 1K miles ago. Andy agreed to adjust the tappets for free as I had paid for a rebuild and didnt want another biggish bill so soon thereafter. What a nice chap!