Hi!
I am getting concerned at the amount of noise coming from my engine upon cold starting. I believe it is the hydraulic tappets on the 2 litre 16v DOHC Zetec which are the cause, but can't be 100% sure. The engine isn't young at 104k miles ,but I do get it serviced regularly (every 7-8k tops) and I believe Mobil 1 fully synthetic is used during the oil change. Over the last year the majority of the miles have been motorway - hence a couple of extra thousand miles between services.
The tappetty noise is now apparent on cold start for anything up to about 10 minutes (or until the engine is at full operating temperature). After that point the noise stops almost completely and it idles nicely (almost purrs!). From warm start the noise isn't really evident at all.
It seems that the time it takes for the tappets to settle down has got worse since my last oil change... but that could coincide with a drop in temperature?
Anyway, I would appreciate some help and advice on what I can do? This car has cost me a fair amount in recent times (due to it being the 4x4 model and no parts being available off the shelf... if anywhere!) and I'm not feeling particularly rich at the moment! Hehe!
Thanks in advance...
DJR aka Ben! (djr@bigfoot_nospamthanks_.com)