Replacing wrx heads-bent valve due to last owner

[ANTZB4]

Cough!!! At least 2k to change my heads :-[

[log1call]

A tapping noise does not sound like a bent valve to me.

If the valve is bent enough to upset the valve clearance the idle would be rough... Is the car idling smoothly and even on all cylinders? Have you done a compression check? Have you checked the oil supply to the cam followers?

[ANTZB4]

Yeah seems to idle fine ae nice and smooth

How do I check that??

What do think it is?

[log1call]

I don't know what it would be without hearing it and even then it would only be an educated guess based on symtoms... like does it do it hot and cold, idling and at revs.

Once I'd studied all the conditions and was certain it was a follower or head noise, not piston slap or gudgeon knock say, then to be sure I'd pull the covers, possibly even the cams, and inspect for oil, wear, blocked passagways etc... i'm not sure about your's but some models have a restrictor inside the cam that sets the oil pressure or flow to the cam followers... some expert in here(Itchi-ban), will know which models and if your's is one of them.

I'm a mechanic and what I do know is that we should never go doing stuff until we know it is needed because even the best mechanic is opening thmself up to expence and problems they do not need if they go doing stuff that's not nessecary.. diagnose carefully and fix it first time and at the right price...

[ANTZB4]

are you in chch mate?

gotta book it in for a clutch il ask the mechanic to see what he thinks then

[ANTZB4]

well car is booked in to get clutch done found a brilliant mechanic priceing blows all my other quotes out the water getting me a nice heavy duty clutch direct from japan ;D