hello just done the gasget on 1.2 16valve w reg brava started it and getting loud tapping noise.on removal of the cam cover several cam followers fell out so were replaced but not in there original positions.is it avisable to renew the tappets when removing cylinder head any help will be appreciated thanks Iain

you really need to put them all back in the same place, thats the rule on all engines, if you dont they can tap. you dont need to replace them when replacing the head gasket unless they are excessively worn, but in your case you've lost their positions so new ones would be the best way to stop the tapping (unless you want to try swapping them around until you're happier with it, but i couldnt be arsed to do that)

it is also possible you fitted the head gasket the wrong way round, blocking the oil way to the cam, which leads to dry noisey tapets. check for oil flow to the camshaft.

thanks for the imformation I made sure head gasket was fitted correctly as chap in the motor factors were I got it told me the story of mechanic who fitted it wrongly and caused severe damage to camshaft.ther was plenty oil around camshaft when I removed the housing but I noticed that a small oil hole feeds oil to the lifters so have blown air thro these to check for blockage and refit cover and try then will get new lifters if faul;t remains.
ps how do you stop lifters from falling out when removing cam cover anyone any ideas thanks Iain

thats the weird bit, they shouldnt be able to fall out unless you remove the cam

hello again on this car cam cover sits on top of cylinder head on removing cam cover (which has camshafts inside ) there is nothing stopping lifters dropping out.Once removed and turned upside down lifters can be removed and replaced Iain

oh now i understand what you're saying!! i thought you meant when you remove the rocker cover.

you're meant to remove and label them all once you get the cam removed.

A handy tip is to use some angle aluminiun with a notch cut at the end to fit round the locating pins. make sure that it's just big enough to hold the lifters in place when you turn the head extention the right way up. Then they can be removed when fitted to cylinder head and lifters stay inplace.

hello thanks for the imformation found out the tapping noise was the valve timing 1 tooth out had marked the pulleys but something must have moved thanks again Iain

great news