TMB

Just like your noise....

Alternator?

The fact that your tapping is intermittent definitely suggests a faulty lifter.

There is some from London here but too late now of course... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HYDRAULIC-TAPPET-LIFTER-AE-FOL200-4PCS-G-NEW-OE-REPLACEMENT/264937754144?epid=2087948766&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item3daf854e20:g:LIsAAOSw~mxfr7gR&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACgBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%2Fn%2BzU5L90Z278x5ickkXKoKcbeZcOrOku%2BoOBl%2BS%2BB8mSbCW32p3F%2BLDN4uRxj0kcv71OafIM%2BitJR39pbgC84VUc%2FQIe9jAulyUwq2N0dVuUe8imlLBuRriz7%2BecJ1lNhXKNTbwn5dhqrcIpkO3e%2Bv4zj2xxaX2aI4I6D4m4jC%2F%2FBdD8EfKtMm56wFemaaFRbxOADbDhRiKYw3yfni3RJvb3v2EtWnOoDx8NBUkVfuqGQR8pWNF5NCh7Fj6dx0hbxRFQKsOIQk%2FzoYDJjUoohSvPe7cDewMkPP7c%2Fxh32CGsNTjGQj%2BocwqeJx03irNe9HI6e70wcbwM11gySzR6yjtZjDEFpjgh92Op7Q7OkG1umtJO%2Balrj7Byrs71HK5s4MAUExlyIroxRWcFf7wCZ43L9w4X2DCdcDgP8413ZaYb%2BxFSfF3o5B2e3hNJJOwIODidy5iqDvJEvgE6tBAdSUkt4Rd0JIWJTNkdGUEHQNaEdW7bTIzW%2BYsKHUTNLEbbLDNqnXyl0%2FTxX81LmGRH5pZngLRotT0dTGWDCiFKnZQqGrie6dau%2BtTXo53jsWbo6ejJU%2Bw7S9Z%2FOvs%2FiVqmE9ufXL4Aa2Xkpr6JFMkHqGOzEUTfD8izO20OHF%2BgyL%2FimSYzWYTspGV0rA5Xleo8U99OXnG4j6HWi7kDIzl6%2B%2FGp1S8v0knpuE82YPQTeNNYZGbAe3MzFI34dlX038jGo782EwER393heT5IS%2B69VTXO2dspKLuU1yB0iYXvcH33fEeJj1danHz74%2FJ7LTe%2BYraGfpib8CsTeYdxf2PrI0FfCpNozCxKugDLC37FQ%3D|cksum%3A264937754144a86c4dc5a2a847efa1e96abb687fde7c|ampid%3APL_CLK|clp%3A2334524

That's definitely a tappet.

Yeah, I would think you are correct there, new ones should adjust without the need to wait.

My head gasket went at about the same time of year too. Bloody cars

Those are from Germany, Mike, so you might have to wait a while for them.

You mean 1 new training shoe.

A faulty lifter can cause the tappet it controls to become noisy.

If you look at this video at about 18:08, he manages to pull one of the lifters out by just using one of the pushrods...

Yeah, the whole thing is a pain in the arse but it can be sorted. Mine runs very sweetly now. Don't give up on it You could use a vacuum cleaner to try and get any remaining swarf out of the head.

They just pull out of their bores. They can be awkward to get hold of to pull them out though. On a different note, do you have access to a compressor and blow gun? I only ask because the cavities in my cylinder head were absolutely full of swarf after I got it back from skimming. Looked like it only had the most cursory clean by the machine shop.

Skoda say to very lightly oil the threads. Make sure there's no liquid in any of the bolt holes so there's no risk of cracking the block.

Cars are all like that unless you get something a lot newer.

Stem seals won't make any difference to any tapping from the valves. You might have a dodgy lifter or injector.

Yep, you don't get washers with the new bolts. Just reuse them.

Fair enough. Must be the time limit thing, as Wino says.

Click on the 3 dots at the top right of your post. You should then see the edit option.

You don't need to disturb the injectors, you just remove their wiring harness. You just push the manifolds back with the injectors still fitted. You can see mine here....

I don't think so. Some people might do it to move the pistons to clean any dirt that's fallen between the pistons and cylinder walls but I just used a vacuum cleaner and didn't move the pistons. No worries. And don't worry, we will guide you when it comes to it. Just take it a bit at a time.

And when you've done all that you can have a nice cup of tea

Head bolts are various different lengths and some have washers and some don't. They have to be positioned into the right holes. Here's the info you need.... Tightening/position order.... Tappet settings (they are hydraulic but have an initial setting procedure)....

Once you have the head off be careful not to turn the engine as it can dislodge the cylinder liners. I didn't find the need to turn mine but if you do you are supposed to use bolts to clamp the liners down. Nasty.... Also don't forget to get some new antifreeze if you're renewing the coolant.

It's running great thanks mate