MK2 tappet noise

[Lazygraduate]

All,

Getting a lot of tappet noise all the time at the moment on my 1.6...used to disappear after it was cold but now it's sounding pretty unpleasant. Also feels slightly down on power. Going to do oil & filter and fuel filter changes and clean the K&N but is there anything else worth doing? Only changed plugs and leads about 2k miles back so they should be OK. Oil etc not been changed for about 6k miles so overdue a change ideally.

Thanks

[seany87]

Mk2's have solid lifters rather than hydraulic tappets.

They supposedly need checking for adjustment every 70k. I have heard of one car thats burnt an exhaust valve at 120k, after not having the tolerances checked.

How many miles has yours done?

[Lazygraduate]

115k! So could be valve clearances then?

[seany87]

If you can rule everything else out thats simpler, then its a strong possibility. Down on power can suggest a valve or two arent happy. Have it compression tested. As it heats or cools the metals would expand or contract taking up some tolerances so that might be why it sounded better warmed up.

[Lazygraduate]

Ok thanks seany I'll look into it!