Lifter / Lash Adjuster: Testing and Inspection

Hydraulic Valve Lifter, Checking

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Feeler gauge

• Wooden or plastic wedge

Test Sequence

• Hydraulic valve lifters cannot be replaced.

• Irregular valve noises are normal while starting the engine.

- Start the engine and let it run just long enough until the radiator fan switches on.

- Increase engine speed for about 2 minutes to approximately 2500 RPM, perform road test if necessary.

• If irregular valve noises disappear but reappear during short drives, oil check valve should be replaced. Oil check valve location: In the oil filter bracket => [ (Item 24) Oil Filter Bracket ] Service and Repair.

If the hydraulic valve lifters are still noisy, determine which lifter is faulty as follows:

- Remove cylinder head cover. Refer to => [ Cylinder Head Cover ] Service and Repair.

- Turn the crankshaft until the camshaft lobe for the valve lifter to be tested is pointing upward

• Manual Transmission With 4th gear engaged an ignition switched off, slide forward.

• Vehicles with Multitronic/automatic transmission 01V: Remove the noise insulation and turn the camshaft at the toothed belt crankshaft central bolt clockwise.

- To determine play between cam lobes and valve lifter, press valve lifter downward with wood or plastic wedge.





If a 0.20 mm feeler gauge can be inserted between camshaft and valve lifter:

- Replace valve lifter. Refer to => [ Camshafts and Camshaft Adjuster ] Camshafts and Camshaft Adjuster.

• After installing the camshafts, the engine may not be started for approximately 30 minutes. The hydraulic adjusting elements must seat themselves (otherwise the valves will seat themselves on the pistons).

• After working on the valvetrain and lifters, carefully rotate the crankshaft by hand at least 2 full revolutions before starting to be sure that valves do not strike the pistons.