I went and looked at this brat today. http://medford.craigslist.org/cto/4132250117.html.

My question is about the noise the valves where making, they were very loud. here is the video

Do you guys think the valves just need some adjustments or a new engine or rebuild.I realy want a brat and he came down on the price but I thought I'd run it by u guy's. Thanks

Edited October 23, 201312 yr by ShagginWagon

is it a 1.6 or 1.8? I think the 1.8 have hyd valves. If it's a 1.6 then it probably needs the valves adjusted before making further diagnosis...

 

but kinda hard to do that pre-purchase...if it's a 1.6 then haggle the price down a bit on the valve noise and hope all you gotta do is an adjustment...

From what I have read 85 up is hydro valves. It's a 1.8, but I'm pretty sure it has solid lifters. So the noise is most likely just the valves need adjusted?

My '84 1.8 has solid lifters. It sounds a lot like a sewing machine but not nearly as loud as your video. I would think adjusting the valves would help that engine a bit.

They had hydro lifters from 83 up but some still had solid lifters for awhile after that. One easy way to know is if the sticker hasn't  fallen off yet on the valve covers that says "hydraulic lifters do not adjust" even though you have to adjust them sometimes.

Edited October 24, 201312 yr by turbosubarubrat

The video did not load for me, but being familiar with brat/ea81, if it is hydraulic, then it may be ticking from sitting, or it needs an oil pump re-seal. Otherwise, adjust the valves and do whatever the scheduled maintenance is for the mileage.

 

Nothing is being ruined or nothing would be ruined. Use it to drive down the price, but don't let it scare you about getting into it. Doing the oil pump seal is stupid easy.