[V6-12v] Tapping noise

[James4ihl at aol.com]

Hi All --

Marc very kindly, and quite correctly, suggested an engine flush at the next 
oil change. I should have mentioned in the original e-mail, and am doing so 
now to avoid unneccessary typing, that the car has had oil flushes at the last 
two oil changes - the last only a couple of weeks ago - with no effect on this 
'warm' intermittent tapping. As I mentioned to Marc, I have noticed that Wynns 
do a product specifically for quietening hydraulic lifters, but it is an 
additive that you use in the oil for the lifetime of the oil until the next 
change, and I'm usually wary of such products. Since it's had two flushes and is 
filled with decent oil (last time Mobil 1 15W50, this time Castrol Magnatec 
15W40) do you think I really need to get the tappets done? Quite a hefty job on one 
of these, with two cyl. heads and the timing procedure involved if you're 
lifting the cams...

Could it be anything else, and do you think it's cause for concern? Will it 
clear on an extended motorway drive rather than the short low speed trips 
prevalent on the island where I live?

Thanks
James