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I am replacing the EGR valve this weekend and decided to pull the left side valve cover to replace a leaking gasket. I noticed that the valve lifters click slightly back and forth. Is this normal or is there something I need to address while I'm in there. There not loose, they just click back in forth within the pushrod bracket.
Thanks 65Z01, so I assume this is normal. And I am 99.9% sure that I clicked all of them back to where they were, but if I didn't will this be a problem at startup?
Also, should I use any permatex on the valve gasket?
I would use RTV to attach the gasket to the valve cover. You should not need anything between the gasket and the head.
I assume you are talking about the rocker arm moving not the lifter? If you want to make an adjustment you can do it with the engine idling and the valve cover off. I would just leave it alone if the lifters aren't making noise while the engine idles.
If your engine was sitting for a couple hours or more its likely that your lifters have leaked the oil out of them.The oil pressure is what gives your lifters the ability to take up the slop or play.
This whould happen quicker to a high miliage lifter than a new one.
So yes I think you could move the pushrod right & left enough to hear a click but not enough to get it out of the lifter .
When its running you should be able to move the rocker about 1/8 inch each way,right & left . They should feel tight & sllightly hard to move.
Also when running you can turn the pushrod but not move it like you mention.
You can run it without the cover on but lay rags around cause some of the can really squirt.
:chevy
I noticed that the valve lifters click slightly back and forth. Is this normal or is there something I need to address while I'm in there. There not loose, they just click back in forth within the pushrod bracket.
Ok, I think you are talking about the rockers, correct? The lifters are down inside the block. You can look through the heads and see where the pushrods sit in them.