Rockers
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 141
Likes: 2
Rockers
I have a 92 with almost 90k on it. I am concerned about a slight ticking from under the valve covers on the driver side. I talked a little to a local mechanic and asked if something needed to be adjusted. I was told that it was probably time to replace my rockers but he would have to take a look first. The tick isn't real bad but I think it also contributes to my idle missing slightly as well. I'm by far any kind of internal engine person and would just like a little guidance on what I should do here. Rollers? 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 936
Likes: 2
From: Tyrone PA
It could be a bad rocker, valve spring, or valve. Could be a lifter but the noise would sound like it is lower in the motor, not right under the valve cover. You could do a compression test to see if it is a bad valve. I'd pull the valve cover first to see if you can see anything. Then compression test (do a search, you can do that test yourself pretty easily and the tools aren't that expensive). 1.6 roller rockers would give you a small performance upgrade but I don't know if you have a bad rocker or not, that is uncommon. Possibly one out of adjustment but that is uncommon also if the motor is stock. Maybe someone else can chime in and give some more/better info, or may be someone had this same sound and can tell you what fixed it.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,949
Likes: 705
From: WI
It's possible it is an injector as well. Mine had a loud ticking from the injectors, I replaced them. I tried my hardest to find the noise as I thought it could be a rocker or lifter as well. I could not tell where the noise was coming from after trying several different methods. I adjusted the rockers while I was at it, no change.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 23
From: Bowling Green KY
I think that's doubtful.
Here is one thing to try. I had the same problem on my Silverado - it would tick loudly on a cold start. I asked a local mechanic about it and he put some kind of snake oil in it but sure enough it solved the problem. His explanation was that somehow the lifter had lost its "prime" and sure enough after about 200 miles of driving it took care of it.
Does the problem go away once the car is warm?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 141
Likes: 2
The car actually acts quite the opposite. At start up I really have to listen to hear it but after a drive and come to a stop light its more noticeable. The mechanic I talked to said that he has worked on these engines before and that with the hydraulic lifters they can't really be adjusted and with almost 90K its probably time to just replace the rockers and recommended Rollers.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 936
Likes: 2
From: Tyrone PA
The preload needs set on the lifters by adjusting the rocker arm adjusting nut. You can do a search on the forum and find out how to do it yourself. I've never heard of a stock stamped rocker going bad, or even coming out of adjustment for that matter. Lifters go bad occasionally but replacing the rockers will not fix a lifter, plus a bad lifter usually sounds deeper in the motor. I'm all for 1.6 roller rockers but I don't think they will solve your problem.
Last edited by dan0617; Dec 20, 2007 at 07:12 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,846
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Did the car sit for a while?
Mine did, and I got the tick sound you writing about.
It was just a lifter that got gummed up.
It eventually freed itself up.
When's that last time you changed the oil?
Mine did, and I got the tick sound you writing about.
It was just a lifter that got gummed up.
It eventually freed itself up.
When's that last time you changed the oil?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 23
From: Bowling Green KY
The car actually acts quite the opposite. At start up I really have to listen to hear it but after a drive and come to a stop light its more noticeable. The mechanic I talked to said that he has worked on these engines before and that with the hydraulic lifters they can't really be adjusted and with almost 90K its probably time to just replace the rockers and recommended Rollers.
Hmmm if it gets worse as it gets warmer I wouldn't think it's a mechanical issue?
You sure it's not the injectors? They can be loud as hell on these cars. And they can actually sound like valvetrain rattle.
If you don't have one already, get a mechanic's stethoscope (Sears has em' cheap) and take the valve covers off and just put the steth to each rocker and see if one is louder than the others.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
Likes: 85
From: O'Fallon Missouri
You need to find a new mechanic.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 141
Likes: 2
I had to take it all apart anyway to replace the intake gaskets this time I am using "right stuff". I took the valve covers off cause I am painting them as well I don't see any apparent damage to valves, lifters, or rockers. Hell It may be injectors. I am currently in Germany and I don't remember seeing any Sears to get one of those jiggers. I think once I get it all back together Ill drive it to our auto hobby shop on base. There are some actual American mechanics there to take a look at it. 
