When cold above 1.5 - 2k revs I have a noisey tappet/s (hydraulic lifters) It's quite a loud tapping too like the rocker cover is being hit by a small hammer. It's also very embarassing. Once the engine has warmed up to normal temp the noise isn't as loud and sometimes completely goes away.

Because of this I assume it's just the hydraulic tappets. Would I be right? Is it an easy job to replace them with new ones?

When I've looked through the oil filler the cam looks nice & shiney with no scores that I can see.

Thanks in advance

 

I would first have someone check your oil pressure before condeming the lifter buckets, chances are your oil pressure is not within spec and you should get that checked out ASAP.

 

try using thicker oil, ive heard that the older these cars get you can start to hear the lifters tap, also are you sure its not your injectors going. it may also be that you need to change your gas octane rating, i remember i ran 87 for a while and the car retarded the timing so i was getting lifter/valve noise, as soon as i went to 93 octane everything is like peaches. but auditech is right insufficent oil will also cause this, make your you have oil pressure and oil gets to were its needed.