Cam Followers

kongsodoken · **Posted:** Sun May 01, 2011 10:10 pm

I have a noisey tappet on my 1991 turbo, my local specialist is recomending that I replace all 8 with OE parts :help:

reading various posts I get the impression that the latest INA lifters supplied by Porsche are not very good quality.......

what is the best course of action.......fit all new ? or try and find the dodgey ones and fit old lifters?

scam75 · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2011 12:39 am

I had a clattering and ticking noise evident when the engine was warming up, turned out to be two duff followers. I replaced them with functional used ones and all has been well for a year or so.

It may not be tappet noise you are hearing, the injectors are quite noisy on these engines and sound like tappet noise. If you are happy it's not the injectors then get the cambox off and investigate.

Stuart

J.J. · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2011 8:39 am

What oil are you running?

kongsodoken · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2011 3:13 pm

scam75 wrote:

I replaced them with functional used ones

How did you identify which ones were faulty?

J.J. wrote:

What oil are you running?
?

Valvoline 10W 40 semi

does oil make a difference?

J.J. · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2011 6:14 pm

O yes it does. I tried 5/40 Mobil one in My lux. (Engine rebuilt etc.) It was fine to start with then I had a noisy lifter. Changed oil to 15/40 semi synthetic & it cured itself. With a turbo your limited to 15/40 but I'd do that before you pull it in bits. Just change the oil more often. (If it wasn't a turbo I'd try a 20 /50.) If that doesn't work you have to decide how far you want to go before you start. Once you start on these you can spend ££££'s. Usually noisy lifters are an indication of poor oil pressure. At the top of the engine they are the first thing to suffer. Not wanting to be a merchant of doom but I've been there before you. Cheaper often to source a fresh engine from a rusty turbo in the breakers. Lifters aren't cheap. :blackeye:

mikec · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2011 6:40 pm

Try forte top end treatment and let it run for a few hundred miles. Is your oil dirty? If so a change of oil may be in order.

kongsodoken · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2011 9:06 pm

J.J. wrote:

O yes it does. I tried 5/40 Mobil one in My lux. (Engine rebuilt etc.) It was fine to start with then I had a noisy lifter. Changed oil to 15/40 semi synthetic & it cured itself. With a turbo your limited to 15/40 but I'd do that before you pull it in bits. Just change the oil more often. (If it wasn't a turbo I'd try a 20 /50.) If that doesn't work you have to decide how far you want to go before you start. Once you start on these you can spend ££££'s. Usually noisy lifters are an indication of poor oil pressure. At the top of the engine they are the first thing to suffer. Not wanting to be a merchant of doom but I've been there before you. Cheaper often to source a fresh engine from a rusty turbo in the breakers. Lifters aren't cheap. :blackeye:

Hi JJ
I know about spending 1000s I've spent 5k in the last 4 months and I've a few more to go before I am finished, The top end has had a recent rebuild and is in good nick (so I'm told) I had a head gasket go the tappet problem has only started since then, I am happy to change all the cam lifters but do I go for the new OEM ones which I beleive are of inferior quality to the originals or do I find the affending lifter and fit original used ones....... :dontknow:

Oil has been chaged twice in the 2000 miles and I've tried whyns oil addative to No avail ......Do you think it is worth trying the 15/40?.....
thanks Ken

scam75 · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2011 10:11 pm

kongsodoken wrote:

scam75 wrote:

I replaced them with functional used ones

How did you identify which ones were faulty?

You should be able to compress them by hand (just) if they are ok. If they are solid they are probably goosed.

Stuart

J.J. · **Posted:** Tue May 03, 2011 7:04 pm

Who did the head overhaul? The lifters should have been checked. Theres not a lot to go wrong with them. They usually indicate low oil pressure & tired engine. I'd try 15/40 semi. You will need more frequent oil changes thats all. Put it in & run it 1000 miles. If it's still noisy you will need to pull the cam box off & replace all 8 with known good ones to be sure. Porscheapart or JMG will sell you some second hand ones. The new ones are no good. (OEM company went bust.) Lindsey racing now spec solid lifter cams in there rebuilds. If the face of the followers isn't smooth you will need to have them surface ground. Or lobe wear could be a problem.

kongsodoken · **Posted:** Tue May 03, 2011 7:27 pm

J.J. wrote:

Who did the head overhaul? The lifters should have been checked

The head overall was done before I purchased it, there was No problem with the tappets, The head came off when the head gasket went my local specialist checked the lifters and found 2 to be suspect so they fitted 2 used ones....after this I had the noise.

I will try the 15/40 however I have another problem that maybe connected I seem to have a small oil leak either from the cam box gasket or lower down the engine ?? every so oftern the oil leaks onto the exhaust manifold and I get a cloud of smoke so the cam box may have to come off sooner rather than later.

J.J. · **Posted:** Tue May 03, 2011 9:14 pm

The cambox isn't the best design. The open oil gallery that feeds the cam lobes has only a paper gasket as a seal. Lindsey racing sell a cometic gasket that can be reused 3 times. It's a massive improvement. You can buy it here from Promax. I would recommend you get one. Though if the specialist cocked it up they should put it right. Did they replace the right lifters? I doubt it. Probably why they want to fit 8 new ones. At your expense.

kongsodoken · **Posted:** Tue May 03, 2011 9:33 pm

kongsodoken wrote:

Lindsey racing sell a cometic gasket

Thanks JJ will do, I will ring JMG and porschapart tomorrow and get prices on the lifters I think I will change them all just in case

Ken

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