Re: Those noisy valve lifters

[quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne)]

In message <199903102329.SAA17843@coimbra.ans.net> "Ed Shiers" writes:

> Is the procedure for changing hydraulic valve lifters simple?:
> ie/ remove cam and slide old ones out/ new ones in?

The timing belt and cam gear have to come off.  Breaking the bolt in
the cam gear is sometimes a struggle.  Otherwise it's a straightforward
job.

> My heads been seriosly noisy since I got the car (12k ago) even
> when warmed up. My mechanic heard the car as I drove it into his
> yard and said it'll have solid lifters and ignore the noise - But the
> cars late '85 and should have had hydralic lifters (though the prev
> owner had a cam belt break.) Is there a way of telling if the head
> has solid/hydraulic lifters? Wouldn't I get different oil presures w s
> lifters - Mine are 'normal' 1.5 @ idle and 5+ @ 2000 rpm.

Only from the engine code letters.  I thought hydraulic lifters didn't
come in until the 1986 model year.

> And do u think I should just do this DIY job even though there's a v.
> small amount of smoke on gear change- (guides?) and is the best
> thing to replace the hydralic lifters with second hand parts - since
> I've heard the VW parts are 30 gbp each!

The smoke is probably valve stem seals, rather than guides.  It's still
a head-off job for an amateur mechanic - the professionals do it with
the head in situ.  Hydraulic lifters are around GBP11 each from
AM Cars in Ilminster.

--
 Phil Payne
 Phone: 0385 302803   Fax: 01536 723021
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