Hyundai i20

Sometimes you can hear the fuel injectors clicking/ticking at idle speed. If it goes away as the engine warms up, I would guess its the tappets. They expand with heat and the tappet clearance diminishes to almost zero the way it should be...quieter.

Thanks Mark. This 'ticking/tapping' noise is a constant even when the engine is hot. There is a slight improvement (decrease) in the noise when the engine is heated. But the noise is still there. People comment on the noise but no mechanic has come up with an answer. There was only one tappet replaced initially as we were told that it was 'jammed' up. The other tappets were ok apparently>? Terry

When you say there was a tappet "jammed up" that probably means it was lacking lubrication or got gummed up with sludge. Your car is fairly new so the best you can do is keep up with your oil changes. You may even consider an additive like Marvel Mystery Oil added to the crankcase to dissolve sludge and improve lubrication. I've seen it quiet down old engines provided they were not extremely high mileage or completely worn out.

Thanks. Is it normal to replace one tappet with the problem? I thought all of them might need replacing even if there is only one with the problem? Thanks again. T