Tapping noise

It's not flapping more of moving sided to side on the top pulley. How expensive are the tappet to replace? Can I still drive it? Was worried it was bottom end /shells related

Put it this way, if you drive it, and it breaks it will get a whole lot more expensive. Best to just get it done asap

are they expensive to replace?where are they located?

would it be worth putting in the hydraulic tappet cleaner into it? I have a service booked in for saturday

If it is a tappet (cam follower to be correct) then it depends on many factors just how long it will last. Noisy tappets in a high milage engine isn't really a major problem as it's simply attributed to engine wear. A single noisy tappet that starts suddenly is more of a concern and needs investigation. You can't normally damage a tappet on a diesel engine as it doesn't rev high enough, but it can be something like a valve spring has broken, but I'd expect to hear it all the time. I'm thinking that a piece of carbon deposit has got stuck causing it to leak down. This is allowing a slightly larger cam clearance than normal. This clearance closes once the oil pressure is restored.

jamesd2009 said:

Oil is fine. Was changed 7k ago.

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7000 miles is still a long time since oil change , Most on here change there's every 6000 miles ( I know LR state 12000 but ? )

You could try an engine flush then change the oil & filter see if that helps .
Do you know what type & grade of oil was used at last service ?

I remember they used to go on the old ford xr2/3i all the time as well as the stem seals.....don't think it's an imminent repair needed as they jack up after a second or two....but I would look at changing them sooner rather than later.....I just wouldn't be reving the engine on start up until they get to correct pressure?
I would though do a oil and filter change with good quality oil as a matter of course.

jamesd2009 said:

It's not flapping more of moving sided to side on the top pulley.

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You've tried pulling/pushing it round by hand though? Right?

ya i have and no movement.how long should i leave that flush in for?its getting serviced on saturday.

Do not drive with flushing oil in, we regularly ran them 30 minutes and old fiestas longer.

ah right. maybe get him to do it so before he drains the il. Said i'd mention but its on 189k miles

Well at near 190,000 it's no surprise the tappets are a bit worn

Do you know what type & grade of oil was used at last service ?

If they used 5w-30 then it might benefit from a 5w-40 or 10w-40 oil ?

do not use 5w 40 on a car with a lot of mileage on ,use 10 40 the w stands for winter

should the tappets be replaced so do you think?

Not if a simple oil change stops the ticking ?

Use quality 10w 40 oil and change it at 6000 miles. A slightly noisy tappet at 190K miles isn't really a cause for concern. Especially if it stops after a few seconds.

cheers for all the helpful info folks.Its greatly appreciated. It hasn't done it at all today so far so fingers crossed a good oil change will sort it. Want to keep her going for as long as i can

This might be worth adding to your new oil - WYNNS HYDRAULIC VALVE LIFTER TREATMENT 350ml OIL ADDITIVE: PETROL DIESEL ENGINES | eBay

Is that not the stuff that needs to be drained after half an hour?

It's not a flush it is an additive .