300tdi Tappet Problem

have recently had my 300tdi head skimmed and tappets adjusted.

Motor had it's first long run today and I noticed it sounded more tappety. But I was told that they may need doing again once they have settled in.

I took the rocker cover off to make sure everything was in situ....and it was not.



No1. Is how the spring thingy between the tappets should look.

No2. When I took the rocker cover off I could not see the spring thingy at No2 as it had spun underneath the shaft. When I pulled it back up into position I noticed it was bent, and I could slide the rocker arm? at No3 from side to side about 3mm.

No4 It looks as though the spring (no2) has compressed allowing sideways movement of the arm (no3)

Is this just a case of replacing the bent spring?

This is driving me nuts. New springs are in, all the little caps have been replaced and tappets re-adjusted. Still sounds tappety

Did it sound better before?

My one sounds like a bag of bolts but she's happy.

After a problem your ears are probably hyper sensitive to any sound. Get someone else (with suitable knowledge) to listen. Tis difficult to be objective.

Who did the work?Cos I dont think that spring bent itself! However,if the movement is small enough not to risk the caps coming off I shouldnt think its an immediate problem,but if the spring has a crease in it then it could at some time snap....and then you WOULD have a problem.Several of them.

Its not a major job to take the shaft out and fit another spring,and James just posted a good method of doing the valve gap adjust.Just make sure,if you do it yourself,not to loosen one of the bolts/nuts on the bearers all the way by itself,do each one a little at a time so the shaft isnt being bent .

I would be inclined to speak to whoever did the work.And then do the job myself.Sound is always a dodgy indicator,and as gt says,its hard to be objective.Yes,things may bed in but that would not help that spring.