oil pressure

[russ_turner]

hi there, i wonder if anyone can help. my car is a 1.8 16v standard other than a tsr manifold. on start up it is extremely tappety for a couple of seconds, i assume it's something to do with low oil pressure. what are the common causes of this? any help much appreciated cheers

[...joe]

hello russ, hows it going?!

to be honest i'd say the only way to check for sure if its low pressure would be to fit a gauge. most engines are tappety on start up especially old ones like ours! but it could be worth taking the sump off and checking the oil pick up for any blockages or crap swilling around, flush it through first, then re-fill with vw synta silver oil and a genuine filter. get both from gsf for about £16. this oil is designed for these engines and as many people on here will tell you it just seems to work better than other stuff.......... for the price you can't argue!

[jezza16v]

Hi, mine's the same if I let it stand for more than a day, just think...16 hydraulic tappets! It just takes a few seconds for them all to pressurise. So long as the the tapping goes after a couple of seconds, no problem. Worry when the noise does not go! 

[TwistedAspect]

My 8v does the same thing......within a minute though everything is good 

[russ_turner]

oil change done and engine seems much happier, thanks joe! that oil is a bargain - no more castrol gtx that's for sure.