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I've got a ticking noise coming from both valve covers, any idea why both would start ticking at the same time?
Moon,
Have you changed your oil recently? I mean the brand and/or rating of your oil. If you are using an oil with an SG rating, it probably contains enough ZDDP to protect your cam/lifter interface from wear. If, however, you are using an SJ or SM oil, then they do not contain enough ZDDP to protect your cam and it has probably worn to the extent that the lifters have "dropped" and the tappet clearances have opened up. This is one cause of the ticking sound.
I hope this is a wrong diagnosis, but if it's correct, then your engine needs to be pulled apart and all of the bits of metal from the worn camshaft will have to be cleaned out. Then you will need to put in a new camshaft and lifters. If you ante up to put in a roller cam and lifter kit at this stage, then you can keep using an SM rated oil.
Oil change, not recently, although I did notice the oil level was low and added some Mobil one synthetic (10w30) that I had in the garage.
How can I tell if it's a worn camshaft?
Moon,
You have answered your own question. Mobil One is not suited to engines with a flat tappet camshaft. It does not have the minimum required amount of ZDDP. Looks like a re-build and a new camshaft and lifters are coming up.. You MIGHT be lucky if you drain ALL of the oil out, including the filter, and fill up with an SG rated oil and a new filter. Good luck!
You have answered your own question. Mobil One is not suited to engines with a flat tappet camshaft. It does not have the minimum required amount of ZDDP. Looks like a re-build and a new camshaft and lifters are coming up.. You MIGHT be lucky if you drain ALL of the oil out, including the filter, and fill up with an SG rated oil and a new filter. Good luck!
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
The oil change was done last fall, before I put it away, regular Castrol 10w30.
Ok, I've drained all the oil, new filter and put in Mobil 1 15w50 synthetic (from the flat tappet thread).
Remove the valve cover and have a look at the engine at idle. Are all the rockers moving the same distance up and down? You may need to do this a bit quick to keep the oil mess to a minimum.
If you carefully apply a little pressure to one does the noise go away?
A few things to look for: a broken valve spring, no oil coming out of the pushrod, a stud that is pulling out