Engine - Tapping Noise

90ford10

^ VALVE TAPPETS - 1.9L CFI/EFI/SEFI - NOISY ROLLER
TAPPETS - SERVICE TIPS

^ NOISE - VALVE TAPPETS (ROLLER TYPE) - 1.9L
CFI/EFI/SEFI - SERVICE TIPS

Article No. 90-10-9

FORD: 1987-88 EXP 1987-91 ESCORT

LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1987 LYNX 1991 TRACER


ISSUE: A loud "tapping" noise inside the engine compartment may be caused by mechanical failure of the tappets or air trapped inside the tappets. The air that is trapped inside the tappets will not allow enough oil to enter the tappets which causes the "tapping" noise.

ACTION: Use the following procedure to determine if the tappet has air trapped inside or if tappet replacement is required.

NOTE: TAPPET NOISE FOR UP TO THREE (3) SECONDS AFTER INITIAL ENGINE START-UP IS NORMAL AND REQUIRES NO CORRECTIVE ACTION.

1. Check the engine code tag, located on the timing belt cover, for one of the following codes:

^ 7G460, 7G461, 7G473
^ 8G460, 8G461, 8G473

^ 9G460, 9G461, 9G473

^ 0G480, 0G481, 0G482, 0G483

These codes indicate the engine has roller tappets.

2. Make sure the coolant overflow bottle is filled to the full mark.

3. Bring the engine up to normal operating temperature by running it at idle for at least 10 minutes, until the temperature gauge is in the "normal" range.

NOTE: TO BE EFFECTIVE THE ENGINE MUST BE AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE.

4. Run the engine at 1500 to 2000 RPM. Listen for tappet noise, which is a constant loud tapping sound that can be heard at normal operating temperature, at this RPM.

^ If tappet noise is present, go to step 5.

^ If tappet noise cannot be heard at this RPM, then the tappets are OK.

AIR PURGE PROCEDURE:

5. Purge the tappet of entrapped air.

a. Drive the vehicle for eight (8) minutes at 3000 RPM.

b. Select an appropriate gear to maintain 3000 engine RPM at a speed consistent with local traffic laws and road conditions.

If air is trapped in the tappets, this will remove it.

6. If the tappet noise is no longer present, discontinue this procedure and return the vehicle to the customer.

7. If the tappet noise is still present, find which tappet is spongy and remove just that tappet. Refer to the appropriate Car Shop Manual, Section 21-27 for service replacement details.

NOTE: ONLY REPLACE THE SPONGY TAPPET.

Figure 1:

8. If any roller tappet is replaced, align the paint dot (BLUE or Orange) on the top of the tappet retainer clip with the oil feed hole in the cylinder head tappet bore. The intake tappets should have the paint dot facing toward the distributor end and the exhaust tappets paint dot will face the timing belt end, Figure 1.

PART NUMBER PART NAME CLASS

E9FZ-6500-A Roller Tappet - Pkg. of 8 8
SUPERSEDES: 88-23-6
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Basic Warranty Coverage, Powertrain Warranty Coverage
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
901009A Purge Air 0.5 Hr.
901009B Replace One Tappet 0.5 Hr.
901009C Replace All Tappets 0.9 Hr.
DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
6500 56
OASIS CODES: 4400, 4700, 7100, 7113