230TE Tappet Overhaul

[AlanWT]

Hello All -

My 230TE produces a tapping from the top end of the engine when started from cold when it has been standing for a few hours. As soon as the oil pressure rises, the tapping disappears. I believe that a worn tappet or tappets is likely to be the problem. I have finally accepted that when I start mechanic-ing I only make things worse, so can anyone who has had a tappet overhaul at an Independent (not main dealer!) give me some idea of how much they paid, please.

Incidentally, this noise only appeared after the first oil change done after I bought the car. I wonder if the seller had put some sort of additive in the oil to mask the noise - any opinions on this?

Cheers

Alan

 

[spanners]

Tappets

It may be worth using an engine flush and then a different grade of oil before paying for the tappets to be done.

 

[Badshot1uk]

Hi

I had a small tappet noise when I bought my car 4 years ago but didnt notice it enough to worry about it. I also used 'slick 50' for ages then after a couple of years decided to flush the engine before an oil change and hey presto TAPPET NOISE exactly as you discribed, Im also looking to have these done but dont know a good independant in my area.

Let me know how you get on.

Cheers

Paul

 

[stephen Coker]

Evening,

I had the same problem with my 230TE. It turned out to be the hydraulic lifters, which were worn out. It cost about £50 to replace all 8 of them, and I did it myself in about 1 hour. It requires unbolting the rockers from the cylinder head, emoving a small clip and pushing out the lifter.

Not a straight forward job for a beginner, though I found it quite straight forward.

No problems at all since then.

 

[Robert Cox]

I replaced the head gasket on my '86 230E W124 and while I was at it, replaced the 8 hydraulic lifters.

However, one in particular continued rattling, even after the pressure had built up. I drove it for several days like this, but it turned out not to be a faulty lifter as I suspected, but due to some coolant contaminating the oil when removing the head. Change of oil, and all fixed!

I had never thought coolant could change the properties of oil so much, but a few years back when the head gasket was leaking very slightly (not enough to show any change in the oil, but I knew the lost coolant was going somewhere!), I sat at the traffic lights, stared at the oil pressure gauge and couldn't believe it was reading zero!!! My mechanic was convinced the sender or the gauge was faulty, but it turned out to be the oil.

I'm really convinced of the importance of clean oil now!

 

[Grumpy]

Tappets

I had a noise tappet, which turned out to be a worn lobe on the camshaft. I bought a new camshaft, slack adjusters and followers from Eurocar parts. Changing then was relatively easy. 500 miles later, the camshaft broke in 2 causing the pistons to hit the valves. It was a perfect fracture. You could push both halves together and you couldn?t see the join. Turned out to be a faulty camshaft. So be careful. Replaced it with a merc one, still used the eurocar parts followers and slack adjusters, and been going for 50 thou with out any more problems

 

[Robert Cox]

My camshaft turned out to have worn lobes (hardness wearing away), but I was able to have it refurbished and hardened. Has been fine for a few years now.

 

[Andy]

Hi

It has been my experience that not always will a new set of tappets cure the noise. You should start from there, but depending on the condition of the oil galleries may not cure the problem. It has also been my experience that the noise you are experiencing may cure itself. (One of the few times I can say that!!). You have not caused this, but the noise usually starts after an oil change & takes a little time to settle down. Ambient tempreture seems to make a difference. Summer usually starts the noise of with higher than normal ambient temp.

So you can either leave & see how it goes. Or replace the tappets. They are approx £9 each & approx 2hrs lab.


Regards

Andy@ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[shirubaby]

Evening,

I had the same problem with my 230TE. It turned out to be the hydraulic lifters, which were worn out. It cost about £50 to replace all 8 of them, and I did it myself in about 1 hour. It requires unbolting the rockers from the cylinder head, emoving a small clip and pushing out the lifter.

Not a straight forward job for a beginner, though I found it quite straight forward.

No problems at all since then.

did you replace space washers that are sandwiched betweent the top of the lifters and rocker arm? According to the Haynes manual when you replace the lifters, the clearences maybe out..so you need a different thickness. The manual says you need a special gauge and a visit to the dealer. ..this cant be right, can it?