valve clearence issues

[comaz]

My series 2 ecotech has started tapping, im presuming it is the valve clearence. Wondering if any of you guys can give me some info on the clearence size or any other issues that may be causing the tapping? i only recently purchesed the car so its a bit of a bummer. cheers

[hako]

Tappets are hydraulic 'no lash' type....non-adjustable. How many K's on the car and what is the rest of it like.
And welcome to the forum.

[chargedvx6]

If an Ecotec is tapping, it is usually a sticky lifter or damaged bottom end bearing. What weight oil is being used in the engine and when was it last serviced? A service with an appropriate weight oil can remedy slight engine noise and also some Nulon lifter free additive wouldn't hurt if the noise is still there after a service

[comaz]

the engine just clicked over 160 000. The car is in pretty good condition in and out. Im not sure what oil the last owner was using though i did just top it up with 20w-50. Ill drop the oil and give it a service and see how it sounds after that.

[hako]

That's probably the best thing to do - at 160,000km the engine will still be in good nick so it's possible one of the lifters is sticking or an injector or two are clicking. As chargedvx6 says, add some lifter fix if it's still noisy after the service. I'd stick to what the manufacturer says and use 20W50 oil.

[comaz]

Simple stuff but it seemed to do the trick. Thanks for the quick info