I'm really surprised how bad they sound with loose tappets. Took the engine out of my '81 Vanagon because it sounded like this and wondered why I couldnt see anything wrong. It had a lot of oil leaks so still worth doing. Very helpful video if youre new to setting up hydraulic tappets!
A good tutorial, My 2.1 digifant engine had excessive valve clatter after running a while, popped the covers off and found adjuster exhaust #4 laying in the valve cover, intake adjuster#4 1/2 way out and the 2 lock nuts by Cyl #3 in the head below the valve springs and rocker arms.. some bloke (me had a daft moment the last time I adjusted the Valves) forgot to tighten the lock nuts which never happened before also I tightened all adjusters 2 1/2 turns and engine runs great!
Wow! What a difference! I thought that's how they were supposed to sound...I have the 1.9DG and it's a bit rattly... I must admit I didn't quite understand the timing bit, maybe you can tell us more about that?
Thanks for the comment. Basically, the spark plug lead that the rotor arm is pointing at, goes to the cylinder at top dead centre (when the spark plug fires). This is where you want the engine, to set the pre-load (2 turns) on the hydraulic lifters. Hope this makes sense, sorry I'm rubbish at describing things.
Hi, Thanks for the video, I had a similar amount ot tappet play, (2ltr petrol engine) do you think there's any risk of the valves hitting the pistons when the hydraulic tappets get full of oil, Also thinking a few of them are a little weak, as I was able to plunge them in s little after taking out the free play, Thanks keith
I wouldn't have thought they'd touch the pistons. If you can push them in easily by hand and they're squishy, I'd say they're on their way out. Cheers Larcs 👍
My van is very tappy after starting when it's been stood for a few months over winter. It eventually clears once the engine gets warm and then is quiet as a mouse. Would I be right in that it's more likely to be a sticky tappet rather than clearance settings?
I've been looking on how to adjust hydraulic lifters on a Type 4 engine but couldn't find anything and wondering if it's done the same way as this? Thanks
great video! i was scared to do anything with the engine in-case I break something but you make it look pretty straight forward! I am going to have a look at this on my van now :) when you crank the engine, is there a reason to do it counter clockwise and not clockwise? I am a complete beginner and just trying to gain knowledge :)
Hi, thanks for the comment 😃. It doesn't really matter which way you turn the engine just as long as the cylinder you're adjusting is on top dead center (TDC). It's worth noting that if the rockers are not slack (like mine were not) when you first check them, it's probably worth slackening them off then leaving them for a minute or two before resetting them. This should allow the hydraulic tappets (or lifters) to fully relax before re-compressing with the scree. Good luck with the adjustment 🤞. Cheers Larcs 👍
@@LarcsWorkshop not sure if you check old video comments but fingers crossed... i had to readjust mine today as it was making a rattly noise all of a sudden, but i notice on some of them i had to have the screw done up so much that the nut didnt have much thread to hold onto, while others still had loads of adjustment left (if that makes sense) do the adjusting screws wear down? or have i set them up wrong?
@@oldmanad The locking nuts would normally easily be on the threaded section. Probably worth checking again, try releasing the pressure on the screw fully and leaving it for a bit to ensure the hydraulic cam follower has fully expanded before you reset it. Good luck sorting it out 🤞. Cheers Larcs 👍
@@LarcsWorkshop thanks for the reply. i have a feeling i was on exhaust stroke and not compression stroke. will try to adjust again on my next day off ( i didnt realise there are 2 tdc's for the same cylinder)
Great video Larc, do you by any chance know where I can get the engine compartment bleed valve for the cooling system? We seem to have the same system but I’ve just got a Y piece in place of the bleed valve. Thanks
They should both be more or less the same. Check you're on TDC on the compression stroke on that cylinder, you might be a little bit out? Good luck sorting it out 🤞. Cheers Larcs 👍
I guess it's just a little bit of wear on the cam, followers, rockers and valves and it all adds up over time? If you have to adjust them often I think it's a sign of excess cam lobe or follower wear.
Totally superb video - thank you so much for doing it! Can I ask a stupid question? I've got a 1983 1.9 T25 - will this have hydraulic tappets too? Do they all have hydraulic tappets? Thanks, Dave. Subscribed, LIked and Notified
@@LarcsWorkshop My 1989 2.1 sounds totaly diferent…more like Harley Davidson. I do not hear tappets at all, I drive it last 17 years and never touched engine. But would be a good idea to check those tappets…eh?
Find your engine number and look it up on the internet, there is loads of info about them. The number can be found stamped on a flat area above/right (facing you as you look at the engine) of the crankshaft pulley. Cheers Larcs👍
@@LarcsWorkshop Thanks! I did it but still hear the tapping. Before I start the 1.5/2 turns, should there be no play at all in the rocker? It sounds a lot better but I still have some ticking. What I mean, I can kinda still compress them and keep getting movement so I think I got them all too tight. You seem to be only holding the rocker with two fingers from the side. I was pushing on the lower part until there was no movement I could create and then started my two and a half turns.
@@crocro8559 . Shouldn't need to compress them before tightening them down, just 'feel' the resistance. You might have some weak ones like I have. The ticking might reduce after a good long drive, they like that. Cheers Larcs 👍
Wow, how could your tappets have been that loose? Not just a little bit short of preload but actual lash there?! And your dizzy drive is 90° out, with plug leads moved round to compensate.
Thanks for the comment. Yeah I know, better now though. Hadn't noticed the dizzy, the drive must have been out in its long and sordid past LOL, then put back in wrong. Another job for the future maybe?
@@LarcsWorkshop yep, it'll make life easier when explaining things too! When you set it to the notch in the dizzy, that should correspond with no1 firing, and the pulley 5° notch (yours was on no2).
Splendid video!
No un-needed waffling! Just nice easy to follow information and guide! Will be checking mine tomorrow
Thanks, no problems 👌. Good luck sorting it out 🤞.
Cheers Larcs 👍
I'm really surprised how bad they sound with loose tappets. Took the engine out of my '81 Vanagon because it sounded like this and wondered why I couldnt see anything wrong.
It had a lot of oil leaks so still worth doing. Very helpful video if youre new to setting up hydraulic tappets!
Thanks, yes they sound terrible don't they.
the sound of freedom👍👍thank you. This is the stuff that gets me going. Great content
Thanks very much 👍
Brilliant. Just what the doctor ordered. Cheers Matey, I'll be doing mine tomorrow.
Thanks, no problems. Good luck sorting it out 🤞.
Can't thank you enough for this. Well done
@@jakefischer8281 Thanks 👍. Glad it was of some help 😁.
Thanks for the video, mine makes this noise and wondered what it was will definitely be having a go.
Good luck 🤞
Cheers Larcs
What a great video! Thanks so much for this. Saved me a trip to the shop.
Thanks, no problems. Glad it was of some help 👍.
Brilliant video thanks! Feel totally confident to do it now 😉
Thanks, no problems 😃. Glad it was of some help.
Cheers Larcs 👍
A good tutorial, My 2.1 digifant engine had excessive valve clatter after running a while, popped the covers off and found adjuster exhaust #4 laying in the valve cover, intake adjuster#4 1/2 way out and the 2 lock nuts by Cyl #3 in the head below the valve springs and rocker arms..
some bloke (me had a daft moment the last time I adjusted the Valves) forgot to tighten the lock nuts which never happened before also I tightened all adjusters 2 1/2 turns and engine runs great!
Thanks, wow must have been noisy 😬. Good job you fixed it before any damage was done👌.
Cheers Larcs 👍
The adjustment screws also wear . Vw suggests 2 turns but a lot of people say that 1-1,5 is better because the valve seats wear
Thanks for the info👍.
Cheers Larcs.
we user feeler gauge for making valve adjustments in vw bug, but in T3 it is not needed I understand. Am I right?
@@hakanklc2833 that depends entirely on whether you are running solid (feeler required) or hydraulic (self-adjust) lifters
+1 1.5 turns vs 2
Thank you so much!! Best video I've seen on how to do this.
Thanks, no problems. Glad it was of some help.
thanks man really helped me.
I really like your videos
Thanks very much 👍
Wow! What a difference! I thought that's how they were supposed to sound...I have the 1.9DG and it's a bit rattly... I must admit I didn't quite understand the timing bit, maybe you can tell us more about that?
Thanks for the comment.
Basically, the spark plug lead that the rotor arm is pointing at, goes to the cylinder at top dead centre (when the spark plug fires). This is where you want the engine, to set the pre-load (2 turns) on the hydraulic lifters.
Hope this makes sense, sorry I'm rubbish at describing things.
@@LarcsWorkshop No that helps! I appreciate you commenting back. Love all of your videos, thanks for taking the time 👍🏻
very Helpfulle ', thanks alot and amazing tutorial...
No problems 😃, thanks for the comment.
Cheers Larcs 👍
Thanks for the information
Thanks, no problems 👍
What a great video, cheers mate
Thanks, no probs 😃.
Cheers Larcs 👍
Very helpful, thank you. :)
No probs 👍
beautiful. will try it out soon ! :)
👍
Hi, Thanks for the video, I had a similar amount ot tappet play, (2ltr petrol engine) do you think there's any risk of the valves hitting the pistons when the hydraulic tappets get full of oil,
Also thinking a few of them are a little weak, as I was able to plunge them in s little after taking out the free play,
Thanks keith
I wouldn't have thought they'd touch the pistons. If you can push them in easily by hand and they're squishy, I'd say they're on their way out.
Cheers Larcs 👍
Cold? Warm? I may have aleaky lifter. If thsts the case shoild I run it for short while, take it for short warmup drive and do it this way?
Thanks 😃
Cheers Larcs 👍
Lovely content
Thank you, that's very kind 😁
My van is very tappy after starting when it's been stood for a few months over winter. It eventually clears once the engine gets warm and then is quiet as a mouse. Would I be right in that it's more likely to be a sticky tappet rather than clearance settings?
I think you're correct 👍. It's very common for them to be tappy when they haven't been used in a while.
Cheers Larcs 👍
I've been looking on how to adjust hydraulic lifters on a Type 4 engine but couldn't find anything and wondering if it's done the same way as this? Thanks
I don't know for sure but I'd expect the process would be similar. You'd have to confirm the preload for your specific engine though.
Cheers Larcs 👍
great video! i was scared to do anything with the engine in-case I break something but you make it look pretty straight forward! I am going to have a look at this on my van now :)
when you crank the engine, is there a reason to do it counter clockwise and not clockwise? I am a complete beginner and just trying to gain knowledge :)
Hi, thanks for the comment 😃. It doesn't really matter which way you turn the engine just as long as the cylinder you're adjusting is on top dead center (TDC). It's worth noting that if the rockers are not slack (like mine were not) when you first check them, it's probably worth slackening them off then leaving them for a minute or two before resetting them. This should allow the hydraulic tappets (or lifters) to fully relax before re-compressing with the scree. Good luck with the adjustment 🤞.
Cheers Larcs 👍
@@LarcsWorkshop not sure if you check old video comments but fingers crossed... i had to readjust mine today as it was making a rattly noise all of a sudden, but i notice on some of them i had to have the screw done up so much that the nut didnt have much thread to hold onto, while others still had loads of adjustment left (if that makes sense) do the adjusting screws wear down? or have i set them up wrong?
@@oldmanad The locking nuts would normally easily be on the threaded section. Probably worth checking again, try releasing the pressure on the screw fully and leaving it for a bit to ensure the hydraulic cam follower has fully expanded before you reset it. Good luck sorting it out 🤞.
Cheers Larcs 👍
@@LarcsWorkshop thanks for the reply. i have a feeling i was on exhaust stroke and not compression stroke. will try to adjust again on my next day off ( i didnt realise there are 2 tdc's for the same cylinder)
@@oldmanad No problems 👍
Thank you for the video, now I can stop waking up my neighbor every time I turn on my Vagabond.
Thanks 😂. Hopefully your neighbor will appreciate it👍.
Cheers Larcs
Brilliant 👍
Thanks 👍
Great video Larc, do you by any chance know where I can get the engine compartment bleed valve for the cooling system? We seem to have the same system but I’ve just got a Y piece in place of the bleed valve. Thanks
Thanks, my first port of call would be www.brickwerks.co.uk/
Good luck 🤞.
Cheers Larcs
you have a gorgeous exhaust system. ca you tell us where who made it? thanks \o/
It's a VW Speedshop exhaust. Here's a video I did of fitting it, the details are on there too.
ua-cam.com/video/CRJVtPae2bM/v-deo.html
Cheers
@@LarcsWorkshop Thanks! I have same system. Funny how same sh1t always looks better on other folks engines LOL
@@chronicsys So true 😂
Hi, is it normal that 2 tappets are not aligned in the same piston? Because one of them is out few millimetres more then the other one.
They should both be more or less the same. Check you're on TDC on the compression stroke on that cylinder, you might be a little bit out? Good luck sorting it out 🤞.
Cheers Larcs 👍
Thank you. My DF is very noisy so i will try this. But why are they gettin loosy ? I thought they are maintenance free ?! 😮
I guess it's just a little bit of wear on the cam, followers, rockers and valves and it all adds up over time? If you have to adjust them often I think it's a sign of excess cam lobe or follower wear.
Okay thank you. I will try it. My engine is 41 years old and has never be opened. 😂
@@Riki.Masorati 👍
Which way do You rotate the crankshaft? Counter or clockwise??
This was a while ago but I think I rotated it counter clockwise.
Cheers Larcs 👍
Totally superb video - thank you so much for doing it! Can I ask a stupid question? I've got a 1983 1.9 T25 - will this have hydraulic tappets too? Do they all have hydraulic tappets?
Thanks, Dave. Subscribed, LIked and Notified
Thanks, no problems 😃. As far as I know all of the 1.9 & 2.1 flat 4 water cooled have hydraulic tappets. Thanks again.
Cheers Larcs 👍
@@LarcsWorkshop My 1989 2.1 sounds totaly diferent…more like Harley Davidson. I do not hear tappets at all, I drive it last 17 years and never touched engine. But would be a good idea to check those tappets…eh?
@@zdenekkindl2778 . I love the sound of Harleys👌. Yeah, it wouldn't hurt to check them👍.
Hi, it's normal when i add the 2 extra turns, the valve is a little bit opened? Thanks!
No it definitely should not be open. It should only compress the hydraulic tappet (or cam follower).
Cheers Larcs 👍
Ok thanks but if i add the 2 extra turns, the valves start top open, any idea ?
@@angerx4 . If they all do the same, it sounds like you might have solid followers not hydraulic?
In fact only 2 tappet seems to get the problem
@@angerx4 I would suspect those two have failed or somehow got stuck.
How do I know what engine I have in a 83 vanagon?
Find your engine number and look it up on the internet, there is loads of info about them. The number can be found stamped on a flat area above/right (facing you as you look at the engine) of the crankshaft pulley.
Cheers Larcs👍
Fuel Injected. I might add.
👍
Does the oil or coolant need to be drained before this?
No, although there will be a small amount of residual oil left in the valve covers.
Cheers Larcs 👍
@@LarcsWorkshop Thanks! I did it but still hear the tapping. Before I start the 1.5/2 turns, should there be no play at all in the rocker? It sounds a lot better but I still have some ticking.
What I mean, I can kinda still compress them and keep getting movement so I think I got them all too tight. You seem to be only holding the rocker with two fingers from the side. I was pushing on the lower part until there was no movement I could create and then started my two and a half turns.
@@crocro8559 . Shouldn't need to compress them before tightening them down, just 'feel' the resistance. You might have some weak ones like I have. The ticking might reduce after a good long drive, they like that.
Cheers Larcs 👍
@@LarcsWorkshop Thank you very much!
@@crocro8559 👍
What kind of exhaust is this?
It's a VW SpeedShop stainless exhaust system. I fitted it in this video.
ua-cam.com/video/CRJVtPae2bM/v-deo.html
Cheers Larcs 👍.
@@marklauricella8604 Yes, a little bit. Sounds a lot better though 😁.
Cheers Larcs 👍
Wow, how could your tappets have been that loose? Not just a little bit short of preload but actual lash there?! And your dizzy drive is 90° out, with plug leads moved round to compensate.
Thanks for the comment. Yeah I know, better now though. Hadn't noticed the dizzy, the drive must have been out in its long and sordid past LOL, then put back in wrong. Another job for the future maybe?
@@LarcsWorkshop yep, it'll make life easier when explaining things too! When you set it to the notch in the dizzy, that should correspond with no1 firing, and the pulley 5° notch (yours was on no2).
@@andrewsimmons8139 my dizzy is positioned exactly the same lol
@@andrewsimmons8139 your correct I just noticed that as I've only just set the distributor timing on mine but none the less a very helpful video
Yeah I was tripping on that too, thinking I was messed up, mine is also 90 off from yours!
mine all of a sudden have just started making this awful racket!
If you haven't used it for a while it may just need a good run. Or something might have come loose.
@@LarcsWorkshop it was bloody oil! somehow it had used a fair bit in the last 2 weeks since I last checked it, tbf I had done 300 miles
@@phillydra9823 Blimey 😲, at least you found it 👍