I've just rebuilt my engine and it has developed a rattly top end when hot, it's got a new oil pump, and i'm using 15/40 oil and the lifters all looked ok(squeezed together) before installing, it sounds awful any ideas?, it's got to be lifters hasn't it?

2.0 VX btw

Hi phil, these engines are renowned for it and the problem is referenced on the SBD site and further afield.

The rattling is due to lack of lubrication in the hydraulic followers, but apparently isnt an indication of damage - or damage being caused. After being run in, the rattling should stop by itself. The engines are also known to do it after being stood for some time, as the oil gets squeezed out.

Obviously I can't be 100% certain without hearing and seeing it - but its widely commented on with the redtop. Are they new followers? I wouldn't panic.

Taken from an article on SBD:

These engines will be at least 11 years old, but Steve reckons that's not a reason to walk away, because these motors are tough. "There are a lot of cars out there that have gone rotten but the enignes are good," says Broughton. "We had one recently that had done 130,000 miles and it was really dirty, but the engine was fine." If high mileage shouldn't put you off, neither should a clatter from the top end when cold, because the hydraulic followers have a habit of making a horrible racket if the engine has stood idle for some time. "That's because the valve spring slowly squeezes the oil out of the follower. so when you come to fire it up, it takes ages for it to stop rattling,"

[Edited on 5/6/09 by cd.thomson]

[Edited on 5/6/09 by cd.thomson]

sounds like it need a good long run

mine sounds a bit noisy when its been left for a week without being started but give it a few revs and soon goes quiet

Tommy

I've just been out for a 20 mile run to bed the rings in, it was fine when i went out(cold) but it sounds like a bag of spanners now.

Oh and it's my fault the weather has changed for the worse, it always does when i get the car done, sorry chaps

[Edited on [1244198211R0=103030p: by philw]

I've rebuilt XE's before, and tried to find a cure for the "rattly" top end.

Firstly, are they new tappets and oil pump? Having tried various oil pumps, I've always found proper OE Vaux ones to be the best. I had an incident with a semi-reputable tuner a few years back, claiming their oil pumps were same standard as OE items, but they never lived up to the task. Oil warning light flashing on/off etc. So my advice, stick to OE parts (try and befriend the local dealership parts dept., or working in the motor industy helps).

As for hydraulic tappets, the last redtop I owned had a similar issue. When cold the tappets would sound like a bag of spanners, but as soon as the engine got up to temperature the noise stopped. I eventually replaced them with new non-OE items, which I wasn't overly impressed with. They took a while to bed in and sounded alright, but I eventually (again) ended up with OE parts.

Did you let the tappets sit in submerged in a pot of fresh oil pre-rebuild? They can dry out, and I also remember removing some inthe past to try and line up the oilways on the head with the pinhole in the tappet, to ensure best flow of lube.

Oil's correct at 15/40, so my suggestion would be to give them a few more miles to bed in before you consider doing anything else to them. You never know, they might just turn out alright!