Need help fixing tappets???

[MrVette]

I just finnished putting my 99 Sportage together after replacing head gasket last night. While setting the range on the SPAL fan controler i started getting a tappet tic before the thermostat opened. I just plugged in the fan and shut it down.
Is this something i can fix with-out removing the head again? Is there a way to see if something has gotten into the oiling passages w/o head removal?
What should i be looking at or for?
The head was milled by .009 at machine shop. They also put it through a parts wash while together. I am not sure what else they did to get it milled. I pre-oiled every-thing while turning by hand. Is there more i should have done?
BTW the head gasket seems to be holding, and was running fairly well untill tic started. Then the idle started missing.

[ron1004]

Originally Posted by MrVette

I just finnished putting my 99 Sportage together after replacing head gasket last night. While setting the range on the SPAL fan controler i started getting a tappet tic before the thermostat opened. I just plugged in the fan and shut it down.
Is this something i can fix with-out removing the head again? Is there a way to see if something has gotten into the oiling passages w/o head removal?
What should i be looking at or for?
The head was milled by .009 at machine shop. They also put it through a parts wash while together. I am not sure what else they did to get it milled. I pre-oiled every-thing while turning by hand. Is there more i should have done?
BTW the head gasket seems to be holding, and was running fairly well untill tic started. Then the idle started missing.

The washing may have contaminated the hydraulic valve lifters and the only way now would be to service them - should have removed them for the head cleaning.

[MrVette]

The washing may have contaminated the hydraulic valve lifters and the only way now would be to service them - should have removed them for the head cleaning.
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Do you have any instructions on that? Where would i look for just a new set if they don't appear servicable? What specs are there and how should they look?

[MrVette]

Yesterday i took the car to the machine shop to have the guy look at it and give me suggestions.
He scared me when he suggested putting about 2 qts of dexron in the crank case oil and let it idle for 15-20 minutes,then change the oil and filter...He said this would flush the oiling passages and clean any gunk from the blown head gasket as well.
Does any-one with lots of engine knowledge know any-thing about doing that? Is it a viable procedure to clean out the system?
On the way home the cam-followers/valve lash adjusters/lifters/tappets quit ticking and it is running very quiet now. Should i just forget about them and believe they finally have right hydraulic pressure? Or should i still try to find out which one(s) were ticking? How would i determine which were causing trouble when they are right now?

The engine still has intermittent idle problems but i don't think it is the tappets. Any ideas what to look for? There are no new codes after driving yesterday. But i did have a P1624 on initial start-up...I don't think it is any-thing to worry about since it did not come back after driving.
Where do i start my search now?

While apart (and in the last month) it has gotten new; timing belt, tensioner pulleys, water pump, thermostat, radiator cap, temp. sensor (gauge), plugs (NGK @.035), plug wires, coil packs and started with new MAF in June.
I ditched the clutch fan for a SPALL 16" fan and controller with shorter alternator belt since it no longer has the fan bracket and pulley.

Now what? Any good ideas would be very welcome right now.

[pkbrown]

I would leave the tappit issue alone if it's now quite. As far as the idle problem, I had the same problem and the one thing I was clean all the negative ground wires, including the computer wires and it's running great.

[ron1004]

I'd also say leave the valve lifters for now if they're quiet.

An oil system flush doesn't normally help for the valve lifters, but it looks like you got lucky.

A set of refurbished valve lifters is expensive.