Corsa noisy tappets

Author
Discussion

danbuoy

Original Poster:

12 posts

215 months

Saturday 23rd September 2006
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Before anyone questions my virilty, its my sisters motor!!

its a 1.0 something, about 7yrs old and under 40k from new, only owner. Last week she said it was noisy and when I rev'd it she was right, the top end howled. It was all the tappets singing away, not sure if they're hydraulic or not. Does this motor suffer from tappet problems, or could it be a blockage from low miles? She has it serviced by a "friendly mechanic", presume correct oil goes in. Never tried it but would flushing help to get rid of gunge? ideas welcome please cause this is a new one to me, my V8 growls but never sings.

Matthew C

4,028 posts

238 months

Sunday 24th September 2006
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They do have hydraulic tappets, don't know whether they're normally a problem or not. The dealer that services my Nan's one uses flushing oil when they service it, don't know whether it really needs it though.

Pigeon

18,535 posts

247 months

Sunday 24th September 2006
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Flushing oil will not help unstick stuck tappets. I'd whip them out and work them in and out while immersed in petrol or cellulose thinners, making sure they're completely compressed before putting them back in. Doesn't always work but it only costs a couple of quid to try it.

danbuoy

Original Poster:

12 posts

215 months

Tuesday 26th September 2006
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Thanks for advice - I haven't looked at the design yet - presumably an OHC, does it directly drive the tappets or are there rockers? What puzzles me is that they all sound noisy - ie a blockage. Her mechanic did put more oil in and thrashed it, it apparently sounded better for a few miles. I'v never tried flushing, have always used good oils and engines have been fine. Guess I'll get a manual and get the car over for a weekend, I'll let you know how I get on.

shirley temple

2,232 posts

233 months

Tuesday 26th September 2006
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just a suggestion;

try flushing oil and add Wynns hydraulic tappet treatment tothe fresh oil, also make sure the right oil is used, 15/40 mineral in that engine, anything lighter could be as bad as anything heavier, the wynns stuff is trade only, so find a garage that uses it, Factors normally sell the cans in boxes of 24 unless you are lucky!

Mark

Pigeon

18,535 posts

247 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
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danbuoy said:
Thanks for advice - I haven't looked at the design yet - presumably an OHC, does it directly drive the tappets or are there rockers? What puzzles me is that they all sound noisy - ie a blockage. Her mechanic did put more oil in and thrashed it, it apparently sounded better for a few miles. I'v never tried flushing, have always used good oils and engines have been fine. Guess I'll get a manual and get the car over for a weekend, I'll let you know how I get on.

Haven't taken one of these particular engines apart but the usual Vauxhall method is to have the cam acting on the centre of rockers, with the valves at one end and the hydraulic tappet device under the other end. Should only be four bolts to whip the cover off the cam box which will enable you to see if there's loads of sludge and to check the cam lobes for scoring/wear.

Matthew C

4,028 posts

238 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
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Pigeon said:
danbuoy said:
Thanks for advice - I haven't looked at the design yet - presumably an OHC, does it directly drive the tappets or are there rockers? What puzzles me is that they all sound noisy - ie a blockage. Her mechanic did put more oil in and thrashed it, it apparently sounded better for a few miles. I'v never tried flushing, have always used good oils and engines have been fine. Guess I'll get a manual and get the car over for a weekend, I'll let you know how I get on.

Haven't taken one of these particular engines apart but the usual Vauxhall method is to have the cam acting on the centre of rockers, with the valves at one end and the hydraulic tappet device under the other end. Should only be four bolts to whip the cover off the cam box which will enable you to see if there's loads of sludge and to check the cam lobes for scoring/wear.

It's a 4 valve per cylinder engine and DOHC, I believe that it's actually got the cams acting directly on the hydraulic tappets acting on the valves.

thong

414 posts

233 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
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if its the 8valve you will need special tool's to remove the cam to acess the tappets,if its the 3 cylinder 12valve or 4cyl 16 valve the share the same special tools to reset the cam timing because the cams have no key ways the are vernier cams,this engine does suffer with hydro tappet problems,they are not direct acting they do use rocker arms.

Edited by thong on Wednesday 27th September 19:45

Matthew C

4,028 posts

238 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
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Oh right, hadn't realised they did 4 cylinder 1.0 engines for them.

thong

414 posts

233 months

Thursday 28th September 2006
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Matthew C said:
Oh right, hadn't realised they did 4 cylinder 1.0 engines for them.


3cyl 1000cc 4cyl 1200cc

fid

2,428 posts

241 months

Saturday 30th September 2006
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Is it always a problem or does it stop after a few minutes? My car has hydraulic tappets and the manual says that a ticking noise for a few minutes is quite normal.

wildoliver

8,789 posts

217 months

Saturday 30th September 2006
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must admit im surprised you can hear the tappets its such a noisy engine anyway!