Tappet noise

Thanks v much. It has a timing belt, I had the timing checked with a strobe light - it was around 10 deg and we adjusted it back to around 7 to 8 deg by moving the distributor. No change in the noise. Is that sufficient or should I look for timing marks or something on the gears or any other method? I heard that some of the hydraulic lifters could be making the noise. Is this possible & could they be replaced? This happened immediately after the seals replacement.

I too feel that they mixed up the shims. Is it possible to check the clearance in the hydraulic type? Is it done the usual way? Can I do it myself? They said that there is no need for any adjustment - it adjusts by itself.

Thanks! I don't have the special tools, so I will go back to them to get it done. I have 2 more questions: (a) Is there any harm if I leave it like this say for a couple of months? And (b) How can/should I check the lifters at the same time?

Thank you very much. Will do these and will keep you posted. Thanks again!

Maybe they clogged-up the oil passages to the head or block and its not being lubricated BTDT. If this is not the case-these 2 are partners in crime lifters and Camshaft.
One goes the other follows.
Good Luck![/Quote]
They did the seal replacement w/o opening the head - by using air pressure through the spark-plug holes to hold up the valves. In such as case, is it possible to clog up the oil passages? Your 2nd point is what someone at the OEM recommended:- replace the camshaft and the lifters. But that is expensive!

Thanks. Btw, how safe is it to start the engine with the tappet cover opened? Will it spray or splash the oil all over the place? The exhaust manifold cover is just beside it. If its ok, it would be a great way to see if proper lubrication is taking place.

Guys! Sorry I didn't see this back when it was posted. Everyone missed it! This post is for those of you that are reading this for info as I'm sure Tercel has probably sold his car by now. Toyota used the "shims in a bucket" method to adjust the valve lash (.008 intake, .010 exhaust) on several engines. They also used one timing belt to drive two camshafts, which means there has to be a set of gears driving the cam not hooked to the timing belt. To keep the gears running quietly, they used "Preload" on the gears. If you look carefully at the gear without the belt pulley, you will see that it looks like there is a split in the middle of the gear, which there really is. If you are changing the valve stem seals, you have to remove the cams and if you don't reload the tension on the gears, they rattle and sound just like noisy lifters. To reload the tension, the undriven cam has to be removed and the split gears have to turned against an internal spring so that an alignment hole in the gear shows straight through. Place a rod or small bolt in the hole and reinstall the cam, obviously making sure you have the timing marks lined up. Remove the bolt in the gear, the internal spring tension will apply the needed pressure to keep the gears running quietly and it will sound new again.