Re: Cylinder head noises

["K.G. Nicholson" <kgn@domain.elided>]

Can anybody give me any idea as to what is causing the following:  On start up
from cold the engine runs for approx 1 minute without any noise at all. After
one minute I get a tappet sounding noise for a further 2 minutes approx. Then
the engine sounds beautifully quiet again.  This symptom happens every time
the car is started from cold - and never when warm or luke warm.

The tapping noise is coming from the rear/middle of the left hand head I think
and is very pronounced. I'd love to be able to ignore it but I fear it is
trying to tell me something!

All ideas welcomed.
 
Regards 

Graham Nicholson
For Tony Gee and Partners