What causes "lifter tick", can it quieted down???

[1990lumina]

Hey guys. The 3.1L MPFI in my 1990 Lumina has always had a bit of a "tick" at idle, especially in colder weather.

But lately, I've noticed a very faint tick from the engine under what I call normal acceleration. You can also hear it had a constant RPM like at 2000RPM...and you can also hear it at idle. The ticking quiets down as the engine temperature raises to normal, but it is still there.

 

Everyone has told me that the hydralic (sp?) lifters a ticking.

 

So my question to you guys is, what caused this to happen (keeping in mind is was like this when I got the car, but is getting very gradually worse)??

Also, is there always I can do to quiet it down or anything??

 

I also did a search and found that an old injector could be the cause of this as well, however the engine still has 3.1 power, so I dunno.

 

Thanks!

 

- Jeff L.

[chadz34]

How long has it been happening, when lifters get stuck, they usually fix themselves over a short time.

[DaveFromColorado]

it may not be a lifter that's causing the actual problem tho - it sounds more like sludge in the engine. I'd recomend a Kerosene flush.

 

basically get a gallon of Kerosene, and a case of CHEAP oil - and two (or more) new oil filters. Change your oil and filter normally (engine cold!) Check the oil oil for traces of a green film on the top - this would be bearing material - if you see any of this material stop right now, because you have bigger problems then just a lifter tick - if you don't see this problem then continue with the flush - with your fresh oil change using the CHEAP oil you then add 1 quart of Kerosene in with the fresh oil, let the engine run for 5 minutes at idle (DO NOT DRIVE) and change the oil, (leaving the filter in there or changing if you got more then two filters) Repeat this process until the Kerosene is gone, and then change the oil the final time with the good oil you plan on using, and the new filter, this should remove most of if not all the sludge from your engine, and cure the lifter tick.

 

Hope that helps!

 

--Dave.

[1990lumina]

How long has it been happening, when lifters get stuck, they usually fix themselves over a short time.

 

It's been happening for over a year since I've owned it, and it is getting gradually worse and worse.

 

 

And thanks Dave, I'll look into doing that ! I honestly don't think it is a bottom end problem (broken end knock)...so yeah, thanks agin!

[DaveFromColorado]

I've done the Kerosene flush on Dozens of cars and it always seems to help some - it was first recomended to be by a group of Probe/MX6 guys on the internet when my sisters Probe had a lifter tick - the flush cured the problem right away, and that was 4 years ago, and I've done the flush every year for her since then.

 

I don't recomend doing the flush on rotary engines because because of the oil injection system, and the ammount of friction from way the rotors push the eccentric shaft.

 

--Dave.

[1990lumina]

I've done the Kerosene flush on Dozens of cars and it always seems to help some - it was first recomended to be by a group of Probe/MX6 guys on the internet when my sisters Probe had a lifter tick - the flush cured the problem right away, and that was 4 years ago, and I've done the flush every year for her since then.

 

I was researching this a little more, and found a good procedure on a Ford Probe forum. Looks like I might try this, sounds like it works quite well. I'm going to say that the lifters a ticking because my grandma (who owned the car since new) didn't have the oil changed regularily so there is probably alot of depoists all over the place internally.

 

Oh, and no I wouldn't want to put this isn't a rotary engine either, plus it would be quite hard on the side seals as well. I know a few people who have tried the "ATF Trick" to decarbonize a rotary engine, and also to "uncarbon lock" it, and the ATF kills the seals in the mottor and she eventually blows up.

 

anyway, thanks for the tip man!!! I found a procedure on that Probe forum as well, so I think I'll try this out

[DaveFromColorado]

I found the info on http://mnpoc.org ... which forum did you find it on?

 

--Dave.

[timg]

You can also try high mileage oil. It seems to help quite a bit. Since I started using Valvoline Max Life with a bottle of Max Life Engine Protectant, my lifter tick disappeared and has not reappeared.

 

Tim

[TeeJay3800]

Yep, my tick quieted down after using MaxLife too, but it may be more because I started using Restore. That stuff is as thick as honey and seems to help "tighten up" a high mileage motor.

[sl3196]

Yep, my tick quieted down after using MaxLife too, but it may be more because I started using Restore. That stuff is as thick as honey and seems to help "tighten up" a high mileage motor.

Yeah that restore stuff made my old 3100 quite down alot. (ticked pretty bad before)

[LumiDriver]

I had max life in my van (104k miles) and it ran smooth as hell, got good power too. SHit...I gotta get that for my car now (even though its only at 66k)

[R Dubya]

Rislone it. That stuff is good.

[OldSkoolGP]

There's also a Lucas treatment that's worth trying. They call it an oil stabilizer, I believe. If that doesn't work, it may be time to do lifters and pushrods, but on your engine, it's a cakewalk. The DIYer can do it on a Saturday afternoon with a Chilton or Haynes manual and the right tools.

[pwmin]

my dad's shop has had 2 or three cars that looked like they might need new engines cause of oil leakdown problems (i dont remember the specifics). anyway, they used bg moa in them and they quit losing oil. i had a little lifter tick in mine and it took that away right away.