Engine Chattering....

[West Virginia Grizz]

I have a 1999 450ES with approximately 6000 miles on it, and yes I service it faithfully, ever 600 miles, or 100 hours, but last week I started to notice a chattering in and around the head, and valve area. It got worse as the week went on! I've adjusted the valves twice this week, and it quitened it considerably, but if your like me, I can still hear a small chatter. I also noticed that with the valve cover off, and the engine started, no oil is pumped to the valve area! I was told by another 450 owner that the valve cover has to be on, and tighten down for pressure to build and the oil to be pumped! I'm a little worried about this, because their is a oil pump, and if it's like a automobile the oil pump starts to pump when the engine is turned on? Hope someone knows the answer to my quandry. Thanks in advance.
(Oh yes, this is a great site, now all us old, and young whiper snapers got some place to hang out and check on our 450's)

[deadpresidents]

it is prolly ur pushrods. I repalced mine. Alot of foremans seem to do this. I don't know why

I don't know exactly how the oiling issue works, sorry

If there is oil up there, it is getting oiled, clean it and then check again after you run it for a min.

[Ezrider]

I dont have the answer to your questions? but did you happen to notice if the oring in the valve cover was in good cond? I have been told its a important for oil flow some how?

Ez