'99 virgin stock, 44K miles. Tried 1 quart of trans fluid for about 500 miles, then (with changed oil) added 1/2 cup of Marvel Mystery Oil, now at about 1,500 miles with that. Lifter still clicks for about 3-5 minutes on cold start (overnight), but that is about 25% less than it was. Has anyone tried putting Chemtool down a pushrod and letting it soak? Other methods to clean this one bugger?? Mechanic estimate is $2,800 labor to replace it or all 16 with trays, I buy parts...

 

that might be piston slap, my makes noise about 2 or 3 min. some ls1 engines have that noise 2000 c5 126,000 miles.

 

Thanks! Not piston slap; familiar with that sound and this is much different. I've had bad lifters in other cars, so know what that sound is, but other bad ones have cleaned up with trans fluid or Berryman's. Had one fellow suggest SeaFoam, but I'm leery of that in my engine (too strong?).

 

I had a loud taping noise in my Chevy Avalanche 5.3 liter engine. My mechanic suggested I use BG EPR 109, Then use BG MOA 110. I bought these products at my local Chevy dealer.The engine had 103,000 miles on it. The noise went away. At 110,00 I had a light taping noise so I used BG MOA 110 again, The noise went away. At 119,000 the light taping noise returned. I used BG MOA 110 again to fix the noise. The engine now has 132,00 miles on it. It is quite . I try to change the oil ever 3,000 but sometimes it 4,000 miles. The oil was changed ever time I added the BG products.

 

I don't like the idea of Marvel Mystery Oil.

I've used Sea Foam in several cars to clean fuel tanks, and throttle bodies, you'll need to check with them

I use Royal Purple fluids only. Try two fluid changes and send it oil samples prior to changing the first and second oil change to a qualified. I use a Lab in Portland OR. This will give you a report of what 's in the oil. Let me know if you need additional info. Odd re your lifter noise, try a Royal Purple engine oil a lot less $$.

You might have one or more Trunnion needle Bearings failing in your rockers.

I've researched and I'm just about to order two sets of CHE Precision Trunnion kits,, $200. The needle bearing failure it not something I want to deal with, so i'm going to install this kit,,,

See this on this forum, video in one of the posts.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...n-upgrade.html

good Luck,

Michael.

 

Thanks Captain! If I've got a bad rocker, why would the noise (click) go away with a few minutes running? Where 'bouts are you in OR?

 

Never heard of either of those products! I'll call my Chevy dealer later today. Thanks!

 

Oregon Dan,

I'm about an hour down Hwy 213 past Oregon City near Molalla but out in the Forest. Great out here, sparely populated and when one hears Gun Fire, it's your neighbor At Target Practice.

RE the CHE Trunnions. You can read much about these kits, it yours aren't defective, they will most likely at some time. Nelson Racing recommend this company. They special in Cylinder head products that they design and machine here in the USA. Check out their web site. The chances of you having a noisy oem rocker when the engine is cold in slim, but an upgrade is good lost cost insurance.

Plus my thinking about Marvel Mystery Oil and Auto Trans fluid in your engine oil to me is very aggressive. I'm not clear, but I understand you add these products after you heard the clicking noise. A lifter, rocker etc. will be a half speed of the engine rotation noise, a example Rod bearing knock. If your absolute positive this click is half speed then it is most certainly something in the valve rotating assembly.

A Roller Lifter failing with the low number of miles is very Puzzling to me. There's a Lab in Portland that sells a kit for less that $10 kit to test you engine oil, and you can jut deliver or mail it in to the Lab. If your interested in getting an analyses, I'll take a photo of the canister and provide the contact info. We complete regular testing.

You flushing the engine may have flushed a lot of crud loose. I've read a Thread recently where the owner completed several engine flushes and eventually the engine noise vanished. He may have used Royal Purple but I can't confirm that positively. But if I were you I'd complete RP oil changes to or three times First. I prefer Sea Foam, primary many years of using this product. But do read their instruction at their web site...

You can also use a engine Stethoscope to initially which cylinder is this Click emanating. I'll be happy to assist if your home is reasonably close enough to me. Just let me know. If you can narrow this Click to one cylinder, then you can narrow it down to the exact lifter if that's the noise. You might be lucky and a flush correct the click. Just like Surgery, one must fist know what is going to be Removed !!

I just did this test a few weeks ago at a friends shop. He purchased a '56 Ford pickup for the frame for a customer and sold the body separably. We set up 454 engine that was in this pickup on his Run Stand and there was a very Odd Knock. I didn't have my engine Stethoscope in my back pocket, so I used a very long screw driver. Even with the valve covers still installed I found which Cylinder the knock in less than two minutes.

I've never had, or heard of an issue with a Roller Lifter having debris inside, but I've had a few Flat Tappet hydraulic liters that we disassembled and a good cleaning solved the problem. But even as I type this, I'm still very Puzzled regarding a Valve Rotating failure on such low mileage engine.

I think your best to find out which Cylinder and move to the next step.

$2800 seems way too seep.

BTW, We have four Cars with LSX engines, two C5 Corvette, '56 Chevy, and '37 Chevy.

Michael...

 

Chev dealer had never heard of the products. Googled them. I might do the cleaner, but the other one I have no desire to use; kinda like STP. Thanks for your suggestions though.................................. ...OregonDan

 

Lots of info there; thanks for taking the time to write so comprehensively!

Do you do your own mechanicing? Hwy 213 is 82nd Ave in Portland, isn't it? You saw I'm in Dallas - about 15 miles W. of Salem off Hwy 22. Been through Molalla dozens of times!!

Thinking of engaging a mechanic to ID the specific cylinder and try chemical cleaning, inspect the rocker and pushrod as well as do a few other diagnistics. Just can't stand the thought of tearing into this low-mileage engine!!

 

I've heard people using seafoam with good luck on getting rid off lifter tap. I guess it cleans the gunk that may get stuck in the lifter and seafoam breaks it down. It's a cheap try anyway. Hope you figure it out.

 

Oregon Dan,

Hwy 213 start at Hwy 205 at Oregon City, Home Depot is the first exit.

Sea Form would be a great idea. But I would have the engine oil sample tested first. ALS Portland OR 800-770-4128, less than $20

Yep DIY, even since I was 14 on all my Cars, My Dad was a great influence

I can help and show you how to find out which cylinder, your not that far away.

PM sent...

Michael
.

 

That's awesome Bro helping out another member, guess that's what it's all about., Merry Christmas.