MG ZR 105 - Top End Clatter ?

[srdtvr]

Hi - My 02 ZR which I've owned from new has developed a quite loud clatter from the top end - I suspect it has something to do with cam followers - it goes away after a short while and the engine runs pefectly. The car has only covered 20K miles with regular oil and filter changes - is this a common problem with the k series engine ? any ideas and is it an easy fix??
Thanks

[wildoliver]

Piston slap like the old 1.4 8v?

[srdtvr]

Thanks for the reply - Is it terminal - or do we live with it - I understand there was a problem with the cylinder liners which cause piston slap but its only recently started to happen.

[tonyvid]

Is it a 160? If it is, you could be using the wrong grade of oil for the VVC mech. As it goes after a short while it sounds like the tappet buckets aren't filling properly so an oil change with flush could cure it. A loose plug can sometimes make funny ticking noises as well.

[srdtvr]

Thanks for the info - no its not a VVC just 1.4 16v.
Gave it fresh oil and filter and its improved even though the oil s drained was fairly new Castrol GTX magnatec.
We'll see how it goes?
Cheers

[wildoliver]

If it is slap mate I would live with it, Emmas rover does it, and I must be honest I have no great desire to do a total engine rebuild to resolve it!