Cali EV has one noisy tappet even after adjustment.

Hi
I have adjusted my tappet multiple times but the tapping noise just comes back after a short ride.
Any ideas :smiley::smiley::smiley::+1::+1::+1:
Thanks

  1. What clearances are you using?
  2. Are you doing the adjustment on a cold motor?
  3. What do you mean “comes back”? Does that mean the tappet is quiet after you adjust it and then gets noisy again?
  4. Have you checked the rocker spindles? They wear and should be turned over occasionally.
  5. It’s a very noisy motor anyway. When I had my first Guzzi I was convinced it was falling apart - until it didn’t.

:slight_smile:

Hello Dicky and welcome to the forum. They all do that Sir! When you can’t hear the tappets they are too tight and that is then a problem. Just enjoy it as the percussion as part of the orchestra that accompanies your ride!

I assume the gap is opening up which sounds like something is wearing badly such as a cam follower block or push rod.

Ouch! Let’s hope not… :crossed_fingers:

What Don said, if it’s set then when checked again the gap is bigger each time, then something is wearing out, most likely the cam follower. I’m assuming it’s the same as earlier models that I’m familiar with. (Not hydraulic tappets is it?) If the valve clearance gap is indeed reducing, needs looking at pronto, my next step would be have the sump off and look for metal bits. :scream:

At least on these motors its relatively easy to get to the cam followers…

(Note use of the word “relatively”…)

Hi Speedy
20thou exhaust, 15thou inlet.
I am doing the adjustment on a cold motor.
Yes the tappet initially is quiet after adjustment but the tapping noise comes back after a ride.
I have not tried the rocker spindles - could this just effect 1 tappet ?.
Thanks for your help :slight_smile:

Fab answer thank you

I have changed the oil filter recently and had the sump off to do this. It was very clean no metal bits.
Thanks

Is the gap actually getting bigger each time you’re checking the tappets?

Hi Don,
No the gap stays the same.

If the gap isn’t increasing, then it must be an “in the mind” thing. As mentioned previously, these engines are quite tappetty sounding.

No the gap stays the same.

Right then so it’s like what happened with my Spada - kept trying to readjust to get it quiet, until someone said ‘You’re wasting your time they all do that’. :grin:

It was the right exhaust that was especially noisy.

20 thou and 15 thou? Are you sure? :astonished:

Not 0.2 and 0.15 mm?

The old big blocks were usually 0.008" inlet and 0.009" exhaust. (For comparison, my 2021 V7 850 is 0.004", 0.10 mm inlet; 0.006", 0.15 mm exhaust.)

Check the wear on the rocker spindles …you might be surprised.

IME, something that not a lot of people are aware of…

Thanks everyone for your help. I have sorted the problem now by upgrading the tappets and camshaft with the Guzzi recall kit.
All good now :slight_smile:

2 Likes