V Noisey Tappets And Oil Light - Quick Fix Needed For Mfi

[Guest Mk4 Kenilworth]

I'm totally up the creak without a paddle 7 days before the Ford Fair and really need some advice.

Last week i was curious to see how fast my MK4 would go. I eventually got it to 90, but the oil light came on and it started to make an awful tapping sound. I pulled over and it wouldn't re-start but an hour later it started and i limped home with a right racket coming from it.

 

After removing the rocker cover i discovered the internals were really filthy and all the oil breather pipes completely blocked and the valve seals blown, Bugger!

Anyway, i hoped i could fix it by just replacing the seals but degrease the tappets/followers etc, flush the engine, new oil & filter and it be enough to get me to the Ford fair. I planned on overhaling the engine this Winter so I just wanted a get by. I used 20W50 oil because the thicker viscosity should be kinder to the tappets, cushion the impacts and reduce the rate of wear.

 

Anyway, it starts brilliantly (which it never did before), revs smoother and initially sounded better. But once warmed up, the oil light comes and it gets really tappety again! If i key off and leave it a couple of minutes, re-start it sounds OK for a while but then sounds really tappety and the oil light comes on again. it's taking longer for the oil light to come on but still sounds like it conk out.

 

Are the tappets/followers the problem and should I replace them now instead of Winter? (I might just have enough time before the fair). Or is simply not enough oil getting to them? Could it be a blocked oil pick up or another blockage somewhere?

 

I know someone will say change to a thinner oil, but this would make the oil light come on sooner and make the noise worse?

 

Appreciate any advice or checks?

[Guest Mk4 Kenilworth]

Fired it up this morning and it's fine! Drove about for ages with no issues at all. Must have just took a night to bed in and build up pressure for some reason.

Panic over.

[iansoutham]

You will have either a blockage in the oilways or more likely, scored the shells up, hence why the oil pressure is good when the oil is cold and thick, but drops below 12psi once warmed up. It may be fine at the moment, but it will come back, most likely sitting in the queue for Ford Fair.

[Guest Mk4 Kenilworth]

I think you're right. Got it on a ramp and planning on removing the sump tomorrow and checking the oil pick up, shells etc.

Not sure what sump gasket to fit tho. One piece rubber or four piece cork and rubber?