Intermittent tick in the engine
05-03-2019, 09:48 AM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Intermittent tick in the engine
Hi guys!
Not my car, but a friends car.
He has an intermittent tick in his engine. Almost like a valve that's ticking/ collapsed lifter but intermittent.
Sometimes it happens as soon as he starts the car, sometimes it happens after only 5 minutes running, sometimes after 45 minutes.
Once he gets out the car, opens the hood and start's looking for the noise it sometimes already has dissapeared.
He's quite experienced with cars as well, and puzzled as to what's causing this noise.
Anything that springs to mind? Already checked for exhaust leaks as well. As the exhaust valve on the passenger side, EGR valve disabled to test, valves checked,double and triple checked,...
The key to the answer gets a price!
Not my car, but a friends car.
He has an intermittent tick in his engine. Almost like a valve that's ticking/ collapsed lifter but intermittent.
Sometimes it happens as soon as he starts the car, sometimes it happens after only 5 minutes running, sometimes after 45 minutes.
Once he gets out the car, opens the hood and start's looking for the noise it sometimes already has dissapeared.
He's quite experienced with cars as well, and puzzled as to what's causing this noise.
Anything that springs to mind? Already checked for exhaust leaks as well. As the exhaust valve on the passenger side, EGR valve disabled to test, valves checked,double and triple checked,...
The key to the answer gets a price!
05-03-2019, 10:28 AM
#3
Pro
Thread Starter
IF it's a lifter, it's only one then.
Somwhere around the passenger side near the bulkhead.
Oil pressure is steady, 2.5 bar idle (36 psi)
Somwhere around the passenger side near the bulkhead.
Oil pressure is steady, 2.5 bar idle (36 psi)
05-03-2019, 11:37 AM
#4
Le Mans Master
Intermittent issues are always hard to find unless you can catch it failed.
to me it sounds like a lifter that is collapsing intermittently. I had an old Subaru that would do that. Fine most of the time and clacking away at other times. Replaced lifters and that fixed it.
either he’ll have to wait until it’s constant or get lucky to catch it. Otherwise replacing lifters would be the only way to eliminate them as a cause. Flat tappet lifters? At least they are cheaper.
to me it sounds like a lifter that is collapsing intermittently. I had an old Subaru that would do that. Fine most of the time and clacking away at other times. Replaced lifters and that fixed it.
either he’ll have to wait until it’s constant or get lucky to catch it. Otherwise replacing lifters would be the only way to eliminate them as a cause. Flat tappet lifters? At least they are cheaper.
Last edited by REELAV8R; 05-03-2019 at 11:37 AM.
05-03-2019, 12:21 PM
#5
Melting Slicks
While I'm not a big fan of 'magic lotions'...here is one that really does work.
For collapsed lifters and more importantly partially blocked or coked up lifters....A really good dose of MARVEL MYSTERY OIL can sometimes clear the blockage.
Doesn't hurt anything else.
This may take 500 miles to work.
May I assume that the car sits around and then is used, then sits...rinse and repeat.
Unkahal
For collapsed lifters and more importantly partially blocked or coked up lifters....A really good dose of MARVEL MYSTERY OIL can sometimes clear the blockage.
Doesn't hurt anything else.
This may take 500 miles to work.
May I assume that the car sits around and then is used, then sits...rinse and repeat.
Unkahal
Marvel worth a try.
05-03-2019, 07:39 PM
#7
Team Owner
Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: altered state
Posts: 81,242
Received 3,043 Likes
on
2,602 Posts
St. Jude Donor '05
What kind of engine? Can you get a YT clip of it?
Had a broken valve spring that would do what you describe, all we can do is guess. Pop a valve cover then start it
Had a broken valve spring that would do what you describe, all we can do is guess. Pop a valve cover then start it
05-03-2019, 08:04 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
05-03-2019, 08:50 PM
#10
Pro
Thread Starter
He s running some ATF mixed in the oil atm.
Valve covers have been offf and didnt see a broken spring.
I suspect a lifter too, although it sounds a bit different than a lifter when he showed me a video on his phone. Waiting for him to send the sound sample to my email so I can share it here.
Valve covers have been offf and didnt see a broken spring.
I suspect a lifter too, although it sounds a bit different than a lifter when he showed me a video on his phone. Waiting for him to send the sound sample to my email so I can share it here.
05-04-2019, 07:12 AM
#11
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Sep 2001
Location: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Posts: 7,739
Received 628 Likes
on
556 Posts
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-71-350-a.html
This recent thread ... owner chasing noise ... ended up being faulty mechanical fuel pump.
Not saying that applies here ...never know.
This recent thread ... owner chasing noise ... ended up being faulty mechanical fuel pump.
Not saying that applies here ...never know.
05-04-2019, 09:27 AM
#12
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Aug 2017
Location: Cool Northern Michigan
Posts: 6,902
Received 2,127 Likes
on
1,634 Posts
Your best diagnostics right now is, with the valvecovers off, engine off, start grabbing rockerarms. Go right down the line. Bump the IGN key over and check all the rockers again. You are looking for that special one that doesn't play well with others.
(maybe a wiped cam lobe)
(maybe a wiped cam lobe)