Technical JTD tappets

[Brian Partridge]

Hi there fellow Multiplarians,
#I try to do my own servicing but one thing I have avoided to date (80k) is adjustment of tappets which is reccomended (I think) at 36k.
I've peaked at the camshafts through the oli filler cap and they look like the shimmed variety to me.
Many years ago I made a terrible botch of trying to shim a Jaguar XK engine which was disatrous.
Has anybody out there got experience or advice about adjusting tappets?
Cheers,
Brian

 

[JTDman]

Never done it myself but when i had my Alfas done the mech who did it removed the camshaft as he said it was quicker but i was having the belt done at the same time , should be able to swap around most of the shims to suit.
Should do mine as iam at 105k and as far as i know its never been done, ill keep an eye on this thread Thanks.

 

[kentishbloke]

Many years ago, I used to own a Kawasaki Z500 which had shim-adjusted valves, and the procedure was thus:

1. Measure the valve clearance on each valve and note them all down
2. remove the cams and take off the bucket to get to the shim underneath
3. read off the shim thickness (or measure it with a micrometer) and then calculate the size shim you will need to get the correct clearance.
4. Go to the dealer to swap the old shims with new ones of the right thickness
5. put it all back together and measure it all again just to make sure

Now I believe the shim is above the bucket on the JTD, so you may be able to get a pair of tools, one to depress the bucket, one to pull the shim out - meaning you don't have to take the camshaft out. You'll need to check with a fiat dealer or the workshop manual to be sure

 

[Brian Partridge]

Never done it myself but when i had my Alfas done the mech who did it removed the camshaft as he said it was quicker but i was having the belt done at the same time , should be able to swap around most of the shims to suit.
Should do mine as iam at 105k and as far as i know its never been done, ill keep an eye on this thread Thanks.

Thanks for the info JTD man. I'm encouraged by the fact that your's has done 105k without adjustment and is, I presume, running well. I don't think I shall panic quite yet.

 

[Brian Partridge]

Many years ago, I used to own a Kawasaki Z500 which had shim-adjusted valves, and the procedure was thus:

1. Measure the valve clearance on each valve and note them all down
2. remove the cams and take off the bucket to get to the shim underneath
3. read off the shim thickness (or measure it with a micrometer) and then calculate the size shim you will need to get the correct clearance.
4. Go to the dealer to swap the old shims with new ones of the right thickness
5. put it all back together and measure it all again just to make sure

Now I believe the shim is above the bucket on the JTD, so you may be able to get a pair of tools, one to depress the bucket, one to pull the shim out - meaning you don't have to take the camshaft out. You'll need to check with a fiat dealer or the workshop manual to be sure

Thanks kentishbloke. I bought a CD workshop manual on e-bay and it is generally useless so perhaps we'll get more advice in due course on the forum. Thanks again

 

[Davren]

I've peaked at the camshafts through the oli filler cap and they look like the shimmed variety to me.

You say camshafts (plural), I don't think a 2003 Multipla had the 16 valve JTD engine but if yours has, then they are hydraulic tappets. No adjustment neccessary or possible.

 

[Brian Partridge]

You say camshafts (plural), I don't think a 2003 Multipla had the 16 valve JTD engine but if yours has, then they are hydraulic tappets. No adjustment neccessary or possible.

OOPas, I think you are right Davren...slip of the keyboard..,.#
Thanks for response (and I wish it did have dohc so I wouldn't be worrying),

 

[BikeDoc]

...I'm encouraged by the fact that your's has done 105k without adjustment and is, I presume, running well...

The thing is, with the amount of clattering from the engine, even when it's in perfect condition means hearing a noisy tappet is next to impossible

 

[JTDman]

Thats why ive not botherd up to now but i like fidling so it may get checked.

 

[ashley115]

I think mines making a slight tappety noise under acceleration, and I do mean slight! Similar to a pinking noise. I can only hear it when she shuts up! Cant hear it on the motorway tho, 104k miles due a service!

 

[Moriarty the mundane]

You only need to check them and take action if needed! So try that first! I always go by the maxim..."dont fix it... if it aint broke!"
Moriarty

 

[MultiplaAbarth]

I've done it at 70k, cos I wanted a quieter engine and have done it before on a Strada Abarth and a Fiat X19 sohc, when I used to tune the old way with crap mpg and revvy engines...anyway its not to bad a job, and you buy the correct size shims from your dealer, but as others have said, if iy aint broke dont fix it...Maybe my engine was a bit quieter afterwards and I had peace of mind, but each to there own...