1.4 16V BBY (VW Polo) - Noisy Tappets?

[summerblue]

I have a Polo with a 1.4 16V BBY engine (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=engine) which I believe is common to the group. Posted on a VW forum but was unable to get a reply. If anyone here cares to respond that would be much appreciated. The top end was always a bit tappety tap, but is worse now. Slightly better when warmed up (but still worse than it was).

It's had regular oil (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=oil) changes that I've usually done myself, but last time I had someone else do it. I was wondering if they had changed the oil grade and that is partly an explanation. To be sure I did a flush using Comma, changed the filter, and the oil (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=oil) (Mobil 1 (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mobil+1) 5W30).

The noise seems to be coming from the top of the engine (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=engine) so I'm guessing it might be the hydraulic tappets.

I've attached links to files with audio recordings of the noise (hopefully you can access them on Clyp.it):

1) Engine (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=engine) idling (almost cold) - bonnet closed (recording from drivers seat with window (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=window) down)

Littlepolo's profile on Clyp (https://clyp.it/user/f1mv0p3d)

2) Revving between 1000-2500rpm bonnet closed (recording from drivers seat with window down)

1.4 BBY engine cold 1000-2500 rpm - Clyp (https://clyp.it/xfipknv0)

3) Engine (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=engine) idling (warmed up a bit) - bonnet open recorder held near top of airbox (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=airbox) cover

1.4 BBY Engine idling cold - Clyp (https://clyp.it/3rcuzadl)


Is this the hydraulic tappets?

[zollaf]

really hard to say without seeing the car ..

[Rob69]

I had one of those in a polo, think mine was a BKY, yes it sounds like the hydraulic lifters or tappets. you don't say how old or how many miles but I've never thought of these engines as good high milers, I ran mine from around 45k to 90 odd by which point it was a bit rattly, then got rid, I think they are prone to burning exhaust valves as well. thought it was a pretty rubbish engine TBH.

[summerblue]

True. But if you had to take a guess?

[summerblue]

It's a 2002 with 86,000 miles. Not sure how many miles they run but have seen a few for sale with over 125K miles (have not heard them though).

Is it worth replacing the hydraulic lifters (looks like around £100 for parts and I have someone who can do it for a modest payment).

[Rob69]

Impossible to make that call having not seen or heard the car close up, if you or someone more experienced thinks it is excessive noise and you intend to run the car for thousands more miles and everything else is in good condition, then it is probably worthwhile investing a bit in keeping it going. Don't forget the timing belt has to come off to get the cam carrier off to do the lifters, so foolish not to renew the belts, tensioners, water pump while it's in bits, unless all that is relatively new, especially if keeping the car on the basis that you're replacing the lifters, so your £100 suddenly grows a bit.