Tik tik sound from tappets despite tappet adjustments

[mzahid]

I have got the problem of tik tik sound from tappets for past several months, during that following was done

• tappets adjusted to factory specs resulting in loud noise.
• tappets tightened than normal, resulted minor decrease in sound but still loud tik tik sound there. However fuel economy decreased considerably.
• At cold the noise is very low almost fine but as soon as car reaches normal operating temperature it increases.
• Upon inspection engine oil seems to be circulating fine in engine head at all times.

Car is Baleno and being run on petrol and overall pick and performance is fine.

[Abd008]

It seems your car's cylinder valves springs are loose now and not closing the valve properly enabling high valve lash/ gap!!

[Proverbial_Slang]

Seems like incorrect gap adjustment of tappets. Have it done from a good place as per factory settings.

[mzahid]

Yes, also verified the gap adjustments myself, the gap remain as per Baleno's factory settings.

Seems like incorrect gap adjustment of tappets. Have it done from a good place as per factory settings.

[mzahid]

Thanks, so now how to get it fixed ? need opening of head ?

It seems your car's cylinder valves springs are loose now and not closing the valve properly enabling high valve lash/ gap!!

[fatboyslim]

Please note that Baleno has an engine with hydraulic lash adjusters for automatic tappet adjustment. i.e. it does not require regular tappet adjustment as the hydraulic lash adjusters between the cam and the valve spring adjust automatically. please note that these hydraulic lash adjusters adjust with oil pressure in the engine and they also have a small spring in them, when the oil pressure is low and springs are week they make a sound of TIk TIK as you are hearing from your engine.

The sound is less in the cold morning as oil is thick and thus provides the cushion in hydraulic lash adjusters.

Now the best thing to do is get these hydraulic lash adjusters replaced with new ones and also get your oil pump replaced. Note that both these procedures can be done without taking the engine out of the car. The mechanic will open the oil pan and replace the oil pump and he will open the tappet cover remove the overhead cam and timming belt replace the hydraulic lash adjusters. However the mechanic may feel that it is easier to remove the complete engine and replace the parts.

[Xulfiqar]

what baleno did you inspect that it actually had hydaulic lash adjusters?

[mzahid]

... but Baleno do not have hydraulic valve adjusters.

Please note that Baleno has an engine with hydraulic lash adjusters for automatic tappet adjustment. i.e. it does not require regular tappet adjustment as the hydraulic lash adjusters between the cam and the valve spring adjust automatically. please note that these hydraulic lash adjusters adjust with oil pressure in the engine and they also have a small spring in them, when the oil pressure is low and springs are week they make a sound of TIk TIK as you are hearing from your engine.

The sound is less in the cold morning as oil is thick and thus provides the cushion in hydraulic lash adjusters.

Now the best thing to do is get these hydraulic lash adjusters replaced with new ones and also get your oil pump replaced. Note that both these procedures can be done without taking the engine out of the car. The mechanic will open the oil pan and replace the oil pump and he will open the tappet cover remove the overhead cam and timming belt replace the hydraulic lash adjusters. However the mechanic may feel that it is easier to remove the complete engine and replace the parts.

[mzahid]

@xulfiqar bro please give some valuable suggestions for Baleno which have adjustable valves.

Pakistani Baleno never had hydraulic valve adjusters.

what baleno did you inspect that it actually had hydaulic lash adjusters?

[argtr65]

@mzahid, Set inlet valve clearance at 0.15mm and exhaust valve clearance at 0.20mm.

[Proverbial_Slang]

Yes, also verified the gap adjustments myself, the gap remain as per Baleno's factory settings.

What settings are you following? please mention the gaps for exhaust and inlet side. Also mention whther this was done on a cold or a hot engine?

[mzahid]

I am using these settings factory recommended for Baleno, adjusted on cold engine early morning before starting.

[mzahid]

Any pakwheeler with a solution ...

[the_vitzician]

What grade of engine oil do you use and what's the mileage on car's Odometer? I hope it might help you before going for costly options. With engine age you need to adjust the engine oil grade and KMS it has run. Liqui Moly actually have a Tappet/ hydraulic lifter Stop Noise oil additive to give you quieter engine running. I'll be honest I don't know the exact place where you can find it. In Lahore Filter House (Montgomery Road & DHA Main Boulevard are first places to check). Before you buy it do read instructions on it.

Any pakwheeler with a solution ...

[Xulfiqar]

if you are facing a clattering valve train problem even after adjustment to correct setting done with cam position exactly correct then your valve rockers are shot and need to be taken out for inspection.

[mzahid]

Car mileage is genuine 160K km on the odometer, I have driven this car for 70k km with Caltex Havoline 20W/50 without any sound related issue till now.

What grade of engine oil do you use and what's the mileage on car's Odometer? I hope it might help you before going for costly options. With engine age you need to adjust the engine oil grade and KMS it has run. Liqui Moly actually have a Tappet/ hydraulic lifter Stop Noise oil additive to give you quieter engine running. I'll be honest I don't know the exact place where you can find it. In Lahore Filter House (Montgomery Road & DHA Main Boulevard are first places to check). Before you buy it do read instructions on it.

[mzahid]

Can this be done without removing engine head ? or the opening the head is must ?

if you are facing a clattering valve train problem even after adjustment to correct setting done with cam position exactly correct then your valve rockers are shot and need to be taken out for inspection.

[the_vitzician]

Hmm I C, since you have already done the tappet adjustments as per factory, so before any major cost initiative I would suggest you change the engine oil grade. Try using 10W-40 grade (it is less dense than 20W-50 and has better slippage characteristics). I use Total Quartz 5000 (10W-40). My car has done almost 140K. This grade should help in cold starts/ winters and also high temperature running/ summers. It will Inshaa'Allah smoothen the engine. also it would be good to use a genuine oil filter for a couple of oil changes.

Car mileage is genuine 160K km on the odometer, I have driven this car for 70k km with Caltex Havoline 20W/50 without any sound related issue till now.

[Xulfiqar]

Can this be done without removing engine head ? or the opening the head is must ?

no need to remove the head, everything comes out from the top of the head. you will need to inspect with verniers or micrometer screw gauge to check for wear.

[mzahid]

The camshaft was badly damaged, having 4-5 mm deep grooves. Went for kabli head replacement, instead of repairing and refitting with parts replacements. The kabli head was fitted as such without any parts replacements. Had to spend some money but all the mentioned issues resolved.