190 - Tapits need replacing - How much would I expect to pay

[mpowell]

I have a 190E 2.0i.  How much would I expect to pay to have my tapits done.   I will be taking it to an independant garage, so obviously its a guide.  How many hours does it take?  Do I need some sort of cam kit?  How much would this be?

 

[Andy]

190 - Tapits need replacing

Hi

The tappet cost are £8.97each from the dealers and there are eight of them. Approx 2hrs labour.

Let me point out a couple of things before you have them replaced.
1. Does the tappet noise start in the morning then go of when the oil pressure gets to 3bar?

2.Does the tappet noise come and go as you are driving when the oil is very hot?

If the answer to the above is yes! and I am sure it will be. Then replacing the tappets will not always cure the noise.
You are perplexed now. I can see it.  Well.... this is how it is.
Your vehicle( and you didn't say how old it is)may well respond to replacing the tappet elements but in my experience 2 out of 10 won't. Some may cure them selves. In time.(One of the few faults, on cars that can happen!!). If the problem is particulary severe then try changing the tappets. If this dosn't cure it then try changing the rocker arms. I have a theory that some of the problems stem from the oil galleries being blocked in the rocker arms. How do I substantiate this? Well when we have in the past replaced the said elements and we still have a noise. I have then tried second hand rocker arms. The noise went.

On my own vehicles I can try this. On customers I am always limited due to the expense. As new rocker arms are twice as expensive as the elements. As we have to give guarantee for our work then only new parts can be used.

The point is. Try the new elements first obviously. But don't be supprised if the problem persists. And if it does then you will have to try rocker arms as well.

I can hear you all crying. Use engine flush. In my experience that dosn't work either. But be my guest.

Sorry to be doom and gloom. I can only report what I find.

Regards
Andy@www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[mpowell]

190 - Tapits need replacing

Thanks for the reponse Andy.

It used to rattle in the morning for about 3 - 10 seconds as the pressure built up to 3 bar, then it would be fine.  I had an engine flush and oil change a couple of days ago.  Since then it just continuously rattles.  It's worse around 2000 rpm.  If you rev it up to 2000 its shocking, it sounds like a ford sierra!!!!  If you go back down or up it still does it but it is no so loud.

 

[mpowell]

190 - Tapits need replacing

I forgot to mention it's a '91 and I do a lot of miles.  It currently stands at 180k!!!!!

 

[Andy]

190 - Tapits need replacing

Hiya

Sorry but I had to laugh when I read it got worse with engine flush.

Suggest you have a oil feed problem. As I said earlier and in your case I would fit both rocker arms and tappet elements. I wanted to know how old the vehicle was. From 1990 onwards, these engines are a lot stronger & tend not to suffer so much with sludge problems.

I would start with the tappet & rocker arms and take it from there. If when the rocker box is removed, its really filled with sludge. You may have to think about removing the sump. But this would only be a last resort.
Start with the top. I think you should be ok at that.