Mk2 8v Digi - random tapping on idle.

[Mirage-]

Guys

I wondered if anybody could advise me, I seem to have a random "clicking/tapping" noise coming from the what sounds to be the top of my engine on idle. It's not always there and doesn't seem to matter that the engine is warm or not and if I give her a little gas to take it above 1k/rpm the noise seems to disappear.  The oil level is on Max.  Any advice greatly appreciated.

I was thinking that it's possibly the tappets so unless advised otherwise I'll try an oil and filter change replacing with a genuine VAG filter at the weekend to see if that helps.

Cheers

Ian

[Mr Blue]

engine flush and oil change.

i still get this very slight tapping but only notice it in winter months

[Agreeable Slick]

stick a valve lifter treatment in there too, something like the wynns stuff. Does a good job at sorting them out.

[Mirage-]

Finally got around to doing the oil/filter change this morning and the engine tapping has near enough disappeared however I found that the engine wasn't the real tapper in my situation.  A loose heat shield on the exhaust was rattling like mad but only at idle (guessing less vibration or different vibration over 1k).

Will try and get under her again tonight and tighten it up if possible.

Cheers

Ian

[...joe]

^^ the heat shields f**k up and just knacker out in general, i pulled mine off!

[Mirage-]

Are there any implications to running it without the heat shield as I suspect the bolts are rusted/rounded.

Cheers

Ian

[...joe]

well it might well make the back of the bulkhead hot and i'm sure its there for a reason but i haven't had one for years with no noticeable difference/problems