UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Our lovely '95 ADX 1.3 has a clacky tappet when you first start the engine. After a minute or two it fills with oil again and from then on the engine runs quiet and smooth (considering it's done 100k). I did add a bottle of 'hydraulic valve lifter treatment' to the oil but it didn't make a difference
I haven't checked the cam lobe/tappet clearance but i'm guessing that the tappets may be fairly worn (100k use and all). The cambelt is nearly due to be changed so i'm wondering if it would be a good idea to get the tappets replaced at the same time for peace of mind. Haynes makes it look fairly simple to replace the tappets, can anyone offer their experience of the job?
I might be being overly paranoid but we love the car and want to look after it as best we can and a quiet valvetrain is surely a happy one.
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Quite a few views but no ideas from anyone yet. Anyone?

I have noisy tappets too until it:
a) warms up
b) I rev the engine, and it becomes fine

And my polo has done half of what yours has, think its a common issue noisy tappets on the polos but hopefully someone can verify that.

ty sib, i think it's fairly common for hydraulic tappets to drain when the engine is stopped in general, not just on polos. I guess as long as they pump up once the oil is moving things are ok. Perhaps i am indeed being a little over paranoid.

i remember once we took apart my engine to replace the starter motor, and replaced oil/oil filter and spark plugs at the same time. when it first started up, the tappets were all over the place, but once the oil was well enough circulated, they were fine!

Same things happening here really, as soon as the oil warms up a bit and refills the tappet everything goes quiet and you can relax. The car is about due for a good engine service but xmas and all....It's going to have to make do till MOT time in feb. I'm hoping to put it in for a diagnostic at the same time, that may or may not provide a bit more peace of mind LOL.

I had exactly the same problem. Just had a service with the usual oil flush and change and I think it's OK now. The revs are all over the place that's a different story