Noisy lifters

GaryKelly · Guru

Noisy lifters

Cruising Cruze · Guru

G'day Gary

used to have that problem in my Gold-Wing ,
a change of motor oil will I think solve your problem
it just to thick for the engine likings
but beside that it wont do any harm its only a bit of air in one or two
of the lifters

give it a go and you would be surpriced

Regards John

ozjohn · Guru

It's a non engine damaging issue that is more wide spread than many realise.
While at rest oil drains from a few of the hydralic valve lifters which results is a clacking sound at a cold start.
Once the engine is started oil is circulated by the oil pump and oil drips into the top of the lifters refilling them
Result, noise gone.
As the song says, "Don't worry, be happy".
Ozjohn.

justcruisin01 · Guru

One common problem that causes this is the use of cheap oil filters, they do not have a non return valve fitted, this allows the oil to drain back when stopped.

If you have the adjustable type then they may need the clearance adjusted as this area does wear after time.

JC.

-- Edited by justcruisin01 on Friday 15th of March 2013 04:47:59 PM

Baz421 · Guru

The issue is not the noise but the wear whilst the oil gets there.

We used to drain engine oil,,, fill sump with diesel and run motor under NO LOAD.

Do NOT DRIVE with diesel in sump,, just lidle os 1500rpm under no load.

Drain diesel and change oil filter and refill with oil.

Seen this work many times. Low cost just a couple of litres of diesel.

GaryKelly · Guru

Thanks for the tips and info, fellow GNs. I tend to be a bit of a worry wart sometimes - unnecessarily. I always give the engine a decent warm up after starting from cold, just letting it idle for a while in neutral. It's probably not necessary with modern engines but it's a habit I've had from day one after my dad explained how the engine oil drains overnight and needs time to recirculate. I still cringe when I hear another driver rev the engine like buggery after a cold start even though it's not my car. My dad once spent a whole morning tuning the engine of his old Standard Vanguard. Then he put a glass of water on the top and asked us all to come down to the backyard to check it out. Not a ripple. He loved his engines.

Cruising Cruze · Guru

there are all kinds of tricks to impress people Gary with engines
that's an well tuned engine when you can do that

As I told you before I used to own Gold-Wing's and on my 1990 1500 cc 6 cyl. you could put an gold coin on its side on the rocker cover and start the engine up without the coin falling over
done it many times for the non believers, (could have made good money with it )

Santa · Guru

Baz421 wrote:
The issue is not the noise but the wear whilst the oil gets there.
We used to drain engine oil,,, fill sump with diesel and run motor under NO LOAD.
Do NOT DRIVE with diesel in sump,, just lidle os 1500rpm under no load.
Drain diesel and change oil filter and refill with oil.
Seen this work many times. Low cost just a couple of litres of diesel.

I'd be more than a little wary of this advice, particularly with high km motors, Ive seen more than one turned into a mooring block by flushing and running with diesel.

They were probably on their last legs anyway, however, the diesel treatment was the straw that broke the camels back.

Scotty01 · Senior Member

Noisy lifters/lash adjusters is not uncommon at all. Usual cause is dirty oil especially if oilchanges are random. For many years I have added a bottle of Wynns Engine Flush to the old oil and run engine for approx 20mins, idle or driving, change the oil and filter. Use only QUALITY oils not the Woolworths home brand cheap rubbish! especially in late model engines. Baz I dont disagree that Diesel Fuel would do the same job but I wouldnt recomend draining all oil to add it. maybe a couple of litres to the sump yes!

GaryKelly · Guru

Can't be the oil. I've recently had the Courier fully serviced with an oil change by Ford with the factory recommended stuff. But anyway, lifter noise seems to be all bark with no bite. Thanks, guys.

bill12 · Guru

Just a small problem with hydralic lifters, I don,t think 2.6 ltr courier motors have them. they are screw and locknut adjustable, I think. You could try some nulon oil treatment, or just go to a slightly thicker ,higher viscosity oil.Its not a huge problem, anyway. just warm the engine up before driving it will help.Pm me if you need help, Bill

Santa · Guru

GaryKelly wrote:
G'day. My 2.6 petrol Courier engine has noisy lifters when started from cold. I took it to Ford and they kept it overnight. Gave it a cold start next morning and said the tapping noise goes away in a few seconds and not to worry about it "while it's only minor". But when I start it cold, the noise often persists for several minutes. Is there a safe additive I can use to quieten the lifters, or should I not worry about it? I guess the job will need to be done at some stage, which I believe requires dismantling the engine. Is it a big job as in expensive? The odemeter reads 164,000.

Gary, if as the dealer says the tappet noise ceases after a few seconds from a cold start then pretty sure the tappets are hydraulic, have had a couple of vehicles with noisytappets from a cold start myself over the past few years, never caused a problem.

This quote from Wikipedia,

"There are a number of potential problems with hydraulic lifters. Frequently, the valvetrain will rattle loudly on startup due to oil draining from the lifters when the vehicle is parked. This is not considered significant provided the noise disappears within a couple of minutes, typically it usually only lasts a second or two."

More here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_tappet

If the motor is not burning oil and running well in other respects I would'nt worry too much about it, believe your Ford dealer. wink

03_troopy · Guru

Yes, afterall he is a car salesman. And they never tell fibs do they..... hahaha

snapper49 · Senior Member

"One common problem that causes this is the use of cheap oil filters, they do not have a non return valve fitted, this allows the oil to drain back when stopped"

Was reading the thread and was saying oil filter and was beaten to the punch smile

This is your problem

Get a good quality oil filter and youll be ok

Olley46 · Guru

I saw some noisy lifters the other day ,two blokes trying to lift railway sleepers they were grunting like buggery,they were noisy lifters.

mr glassies · Guru

well i agree with jc there are filters and there are filters .
i use morreys oil additive in everything i own sept for a bike anti friction oil dosnt agree with wet clutches.
IMO dont be misled noisy tappets do harm to them selves and the rest of the valve train its like miniature hammering and over a long period it will do damage things valves rocker gear pushrods and the lifters but it does take a long time to become a problem. mostly you never have a problem from the cold lifter rattle.

just my 2 bobs worth

dibs