XR5 noisy lifters

[Kian Jorry]

My 2007 XR5 has started to make a lot of noise in the top end . The lifters are really noisy below 1200rpm. I have owned the car from new and its always had 5k oil changes with synthetic oil. The car has done 78k so fairly low kms for this to happen. Is it a common problem with the xr5? I see the volvo motors have seals in the sump around the oil pump which leak causing low oil pressure. This apparently causes noisy lifters. The xr5 has oil pressure gauge and it is showing normal. I ve looked at new lifters which are really expensive. Im also thinking it would be a good idea to do a compression test before replacing the lifters.
Any thoughts appreciated.

[DZFord]

Hi Kian, there are no lifters in the XR5 engine. The camshafts actuate mechanical tappets, which directly open / close each valve.

Rather than replacing the tappets, the first thing I would do is check the valve clearance (ie. feeler gauge between the camshaft base circle and the tappet) to see if it is in spec or not.

[Kian Jorry]

Hi I thought they had hydraulic tappets but the RS had shimmed buckets. Guess I got it wrong. So if its out of spec new buckets from ford of the correct thickness ? Unfortunately taking those valve covers of also releases the cams. Can the clearance still be checked by sitting the cams in the head?
Thank for the help

[DZFord]

Definitely shimless tappets. It's valve cover off unfortunately to check those clearances.

[Kian Jorry]

Could you tell me what the clearances need to be?

[DZFord]

Intake is 0.17 - 0.23mm and exhaust is 0.37 - 0.43mm, engine cold.