Alfa Pages

mpanayi · Alfa Arna Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 5

I have hreg series 3 16v Boxer 1.7 and ive always looked after and maintained it well. Recently it has started making a tapping or tickiing sound coming from under the hood, this sound taps faster as u rev. but after a while its stops, then comes back again. it doesnt affect the performance at all but it just sounds like an old VW Beetle sometimes.
the only thing ive done to try to cure it is add some oil additive but doesnt seem to have worked. Just thought id ask here before i take it in to the doctors.
thanx

Wizz · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 1:54 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the forum. Smile

Try looking trough the "Maintenance and repairs"-section.
Look for stuff such as this: http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1814
For some reason, the search function ain't getting me any results, even with the correct keywords.. Hmm.

Anyway, most likely it's your valve lifters acting up. My 1.5 IE did this, and the previous owner even drove from Denmark to France and back with the problem still there... So it ain't exactly a engine-killer problem. Wink

Changed the 4 valve lifters on one side (my 1.5 being a 8v), and voila, problem solved.
_________________
//Wizz
Alfa 33, 1.5 IE (1992) (Series 3)... now with 1.7 IE Very Happy

tvatavuk · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 2:08 pm Post subject:

bobbber · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 3:41 pm Post subject:

Ah, yes. The dreaded tick! I have suffered for a long time over this one!

There are five things which instantly come to mind :

1. There is air trapped in the tappet - follow the link like suggested for this one.

2. An oil blockage is stopping oil flow from filling up the tappet correctly. An oil flush, and the use of thin oil (say, 5W/30) can help with this.

3. The tappets are worn, and losing oil. A thicker oil helps here. It has less chance of leaking from the tappet. My car has this, it was fine until I flushed the system and filled with synthetic oil.

4. The oil breather system is blocked, creating pressure against the flow of oil. This can be cleaned by removing the screw inside the oil filler cap (clean the gauze with petrol).

5. You have an oil filter installed, without a 'non-return' valve. Always use the correct Alfa filter.

I hope some of those points help!

Rob
_________________
Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

mpanayi · Alfa Arna Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 5

thank you all for your advice i will try what you have recommended and let u know how i get on.

bring back the boxer engines out with the twin sparks hoorah!!