Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster includes a body having a closed end, a chamber and an open end. A hollow plunger is positioned within the body chamber and has a portion extending outwardly therefrom. A high pressure chamber is formed between the closed end of the body and the plunger and a spring is positioned within the high pressure chamber to urge the plunger outwardly from the body. There are aligned fluid passages in the body and plunger to permit oil to pass into the hollow plunger from the exterior of the body. There is an additional fluid passage in the plunger, positioned closer to the high pressure chamber than the body fluid passage, to direct oil passing from the high pressure chamber along the exterior of the plunger back into the plunger interior.