advice on tappet noise

[dadams]

On start up of my car yesterday noticed that the engine was making a tapping noise. It sounded like a tappet noise I assume the tappets are hydraulic therefore not adjustable so I can only assume I need to get some work done.

After a fairly short time of driving the noise went away and did not come back for the rest of the journey.

Any advise on what could be the problem greatly appreciated

1998 car with 39k on the clock

[Griffit]

Could mean that the tappets aren't pumping up as quickly as they should do, which results in the tappeting as they don't take up the gap between cam and pushrods? Alternatively it could be a manifold gasket? A quick search through old posts should help you determine how to find out where the noise is coming from.

I had an early MX5 once upon a time that would go tappety when IT decided the oil wanted changing, normally after about 3k miles! Seemed the dirty oil didn't pump into the small tappet chambers very well. Could also occur if you have a particularly thick oil when cold, hence when the engine warms the tappeting goes. If you're using a 20W-XX it would be more noticeable than say a 10W-XX.

ETA: Don't think the worst just yet, if it goes away when warm it might not be your cam! Good luck

Edited by Griffit on Monday 10th September 21:45

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

As an alternative guess (without hearing said sound) a ticking/spitting noise can be caused by gases escaping around the exhaust manifold gasket?

[Griffit]

This post on the next page seems to have lots of links in it - though I've no idea if they're any good?!

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

[spend]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

As an alternative guess (without hearing said sound) a ticking/spitting noise can be caused by gases escaping around the exhaust manifold gasket?

The other common mistake is an HT lead arcing... There will have been plenty of cams replaced for these 2 & sticky followers

Dave