fiesta noise

[stevec000]

i have a 1995 fiesta petrol engine.

but it sounds like a diesel someone suggested the tappets but what are they and how do i change them.

or is there another explanation for the noise

[Bramble43]

Could well be the tappetts depending on how loud the noise is, could well need the cam changing too if its got a lot of miles on it. You could try a cheap option first, put some engine flush in the oil, Forte products are good, refer to instructions which usually say something like run on tickover for 10 mins then turn off and drain the oil. refill with decent quality oil of correct grade especially if its a 16valve zetec engine and your engine should sound loads better. If you need the tappets (cam followers) doing and you are not sure what to do and not much of a mechanic then i'd not try to do it yourself as you could cause serious engine damage if it isn't done right

[tubeway]

Most fiesta endura engines (like yours) sound a bit tappety - if you do not know what tappets are then I would get somebody else to change or adjust them if I were you. Unless it is bad do not worry too much - they all do that (get somebody who knows cars that you trust to have a listen)

[v64paul]

depending on mileage and general condition it is fairly easy to adjust the valve clearences on this engine. that said this engine also suffers from wear between the rocker arms and the top of the valve stems, which makes it very difficult to measure the gap accurately. also prone to wear is the timing chain and it's tensioner. given the age, i would say it's all of the above that need attention. it's not that expensive but only possible if your comfortable around cars and engines in particular. look in a workshop manual for an idea as to whether you can do it. good luck!

[livingstone1]

Some ropey old mechanic once told me a noisy tappet is a happy tappet. Any truth in this I wonder??

[criag]

it is possible that your tappets may need adjusted if its a overhead valve engine(black rocker cover)ie:1.1 or 1.3

or if its a cvh engine which has a silver rocker cover ie:1.2 1.4 then the tappets are hydraulic which means they fill with oil in this case you may have a worn tappet so replacement will be required

you

[criag]

if it is a cvh engine then you have a timing belt which may be loose 'this makes your distributor rattle which also sounds like a tappet noise

it is wise to have the timing belt replaced every 36.000 miles because if it snaps due to wear or loose it can seriously damage your engine

hope this helps