Audi 90 B3 2.2 KV noisy hydraulic tappets

Holidave · 13-05-21, 07:35 PM

Hello everyone it's been a while, house move and all the work that goes with it leaves my Audi 90 finally to have timing belt/water pump to be fitted then MOT after 5 years of being sat in my garage.
The tappets were a little noisy before i garaged it up but always seemed to be until i changed the oil, but never lasted all that long until the were noisy again, is there a pressure valve in the head that controls the oil pressure to them as i previously owned an 80 2.8 V6 AAH engine code and these collapsed causing the same problem, changed them and the engine was fine.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks Dave

mikes2 · 13-05-21, 08:12 PM

There is a pressure valve but it's in the block.

077 103 175 B. It's normally located behind the oil pressure sensor on the radiator side.

Have the tappets ever been replaced ?

Normal test is to rev it at 3k rpm for 2 mins. If it continues with tappet noise after that, they should be replaced.

Isimmo · 13-05-21, 08:47 PM

Look at the weight of the oil. There’s quite a lot of folks with S2’s who are using 10w60 oil with good results for tappets, turbo and Crankcase Ventilation. The issue appears more to be with lighter weight synthetic oils and ‘draining’ back away from the head and tappets. Ironically it appears to get worse if the oil system is regularly flushed.

Holidave · 29-08-21, 09:09 AM

Finally back on the road !
I replaced the oil with 20/50 and after 5 minutes of running the tappets were finally quiet, a 30 mile run on the motorway and a few more on some B roads and they are still quiet.
Thanks for your responses

Ringmaster · 29-08-21, 11:32 AM

Could using an oil like Castrol Magnatec help in Holidave's situation too?

Or is Magnatec all hype? Any thoughts Isimmo?

13-05-21, 08:12 PM	#2
mikes2 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Polmont Posts: 2,617	There is a pressure valve but it's in the block. 077 103 175 B. It's normally located behind the oil pressure sensor on the radiator side. Have the tappets ever been replaced ? Normal test is to rev it at 3k rpm for 2 mins. If it continues with tappet noise after that, they should be replaced. __________________ 1991 90 quattro 20v sport 1991 90 quattro

13-05-21, 08:47 PM	#3
Isimmo Super Moderator Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sissix-by-the-sea Posts: 15,218	Look at the weight of the oil. There’s quite a lot of folks with S2’s who are using 10w60 oil with good results for tappets, turbo and Crankcase Ventilation. The issue appears more to be with lighter weight synthetic oils and ‘draining’ back away from the head and tappets. Ironically it appears to get worse if the oil system is regularly flushed. __________________ 1985 WR quattro, 1985 20vT RallyRep, 1993 MTM ABY S2 Avant. 2010 S3 Sportback. Last edited by Isimmo; 13-05-21 at 08:51 PM.

29-08-21, 09:09 AM	#4
Holidave Newbie! Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 10	Finally back on the road ! I replaced the oil with 20/50 and after 5 minutes of running the tappets were finally quiet, a 30 mile run on the motorway and a few more on some B roads and they are still quiet. Thanks for your responses

29-08-21, 11:32 AM	#5
Ringmaster Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,326	Could using an oil like Castrol Magnatec help in Holidave's situation too? Or is Magnatec all hype? Any thoughts Isimmo?