mk2 Gti 8v - hydraulic or shim adjustable how to tell

[courtz1976-2dr]

Hi there all,

I am wondering if there is any way to identify (without disassembly) what type of buckets are in the head of an 8v 92 GTI whether they are shim or hydraulic adjustment.

My GF's gti is very "tappetty" and if they are shims then it is easily explained if not then maybe more major, engine has done over 320K km and trying to prepare for a rebuild before stripping it down.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Peter Jones]

pull the rocker cover off. It's easy to spot the shims on top of the lifters if it's solid.

[cartertronic]

Pete's right, not much work required to take the cover off!

Also worth checking the manifold gaskets, if they're cactus the leak can transfer the noise from the head..

[twin eng, twin turbs]

Once you have the rocker cover off the easiest way to see is that no.4 camshaft retainer cap is missing and an oil skirter is in underneath the cam which indicates its a hydraulic head.

[Spyda]

Aren't all mk2s hydraulic especially 90s?

Very common problem, usually fixed by replacing the bastards, last time i bought them from GAP they cost me $85.

[h100vw]

Aren't all mk2s hydraulic especially 90s?

Very common problem, usually fixed by replacing the bastards, last time i bought them from GAP they cost me $85.

Assuming the oil pump pickup isn't partially blocked with debris.

Gavin