I have a 1.4 K-Series engine that I had to rebuild the top end on recently, following a head-gasket failure. Ever since it was put back together it has taken about 5-6 seconds to start. After finding no air leaks, and checking everything else was in order, I tried turning the engine over on the starter circuit first (nothing else powered up, not even the ECU), which seems to get rid of the slow start. So, I guess either I have an oil feed problem to the lifters, the oilways are leaking, or the lifters are full of crap from the head gasket going. Oddly I don't hear any tappet noise, so I'm going to hazard that the lifters are full of soft spongy crap...
Assuming the latter, is it possible to flush/clean out the lifters - presumably after taking them out again? From what I have seen they do not look suited to being disassembled. If not I guess a new set from ebay are in order! Has anyone ever had this problem?
Andy.