Ticking *Not your normal kind*

[MiSFiTz]

Ok long story short i bought a car off here its a 99 w/ 48,000 miles..

The car had 15w50 oil in it.. It cold here so i changed it out w/ 10w30 w/ lucas ..

The car on startup ticks until warm, then the ticking goes aways and comes as it pleases..

There times it wont do it for like 20 mins then it will .

I just wanna know what to do to fix this or what it really is?

Im thinking its my lifers but aint sure? :thumbdown

 

[xxdprussxx]

sounds like lifters to me

 

[iwin]

It definitely sounds like lifters but the lifter tick (in my experience) isn't that common in 99's.

 

[EclipseGST-95]

whats a lifter tick do you have any pictures or what you guys are talking about? i have a ticking in my car...its been 10 degrees out for the past week or so and when i am in second gear and the rpm is droppin from like 2000 to 1000 when it his 1500 i hear a ticking from the passenger side of the engine then accelerating from 1000 to 1500 or so i can hear it again im sure it always makes the sound but its just muffled when im at higher rpms any ideas what it is?? or if its this lifter tick?

 

[97 GS-T Spyder]

Mine is doing this too, it fits the same exact description givin in the first post of this thread. I can't seem to figure out what it is, but I also don't know too much about cars. Mine is a 97, if that makes a dif.

 

[MiSFiTz]

My oil pressure also if very jumpy..

When idle its mid when running on the highway its almost on the 3 quater line.. when the sits and idles for about 5 mins it goes down to the 1/4 line..

But like i said the ticking is when i start it
*loud ticking from the drivers side of the valve cover*

Then it ticks whenever from that same side.. The lucas has help it but its still noticable and I dont like it :thumbdown

I heard it could be my timeing belt tentioner? could this be it seems more from the valve cover..

 

[97 GS-T Spyder]

sounds just like the way mine is acting/sounding

 

[dartgts]

As stated previous this does sound like lifter tap. First don't go by the oil preasure gauge from the factory. While they are a good guide as to what the preasure is they are not all that acurate. If you are worried about Oil preasure get a real gauge from Autometer or any other reputable maker. If you don't want to go that route then you can get a test gauge to check it as well (these are usually more expensive) or you might be able to rent one from an autoparts store.

In short lifters take up the slack for the valves so they stay aligned correctly. They are also known as lash compensators. They do this using oil preassure(remember) they are the last thing to get the oil (ie. top of the motor) so tapping is common when staring up. I have noticed on my car that the oil filter will sometimes constrict flow causing lifter tap as well (at least I have noticed it making a difference).

Sorry for being long in the tooth.. Hope this helps.

 

[MiSFiTz]

Im using a frame filter..

What do you suggest to use?

I heard K&N but dunno..

 

[dartgts]

Well to tell you the truth I have seen on other boards and from talking to some mechanics that I know that fram filters are the shattiest built. I try to avoid them. I am currently using a Puralator on my car and it did clear up the tapping start. ( I don't know the number on it though I don't remember). I have also heard good things about the K&N as well I think that it would be worth a try. This would be a realy cheap fix if this is the problem.

Note: The problem could still be a lifter seized so this might not clear everything. I thought it might be a cheap place to start.

 

[iwin]

I've got a Mobil oil filter and it's fine. Although my car hasn't moved in a while.

 

[maymee00]

I have owned 3 dsms. First a 93 talon DL. I currently own a 94 Talon TSI AWD and a 98 Eclipse spyder GST. All three of these cars have experienced the tapping noise. Both of the turbo cars have had fluctuating oil pressure according to the stock gauge. I am pretty sure mine is lifter tap in both the turbo cars and in the first car I had, it was inspected by the dealer and they told me that it was lifter tap. The dealer told me that it really wasn't anything to worry about with the first car.

 

[6damian6]

Are you sure its not one of the three solenoids that sit on the firewall behind the valve cover? I know for sure one of them tick whenever they want. Next time you hear that ticking unplug them one at a time to figure out if they are making the noise.

 

[Creed32]

i have the same problem...refer to ROCKER ARM ASSEMBLY QUESTION in this forum to find out more.

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by MiSFiTz
the ticking is when i start it
*loud ticking from the drivers side of the valve cover*

Then it ticks whenever from that same side.. The lucas has help it but its still noticable and I dont like it :thumbdown

Check your harmonic balancer.

Next oil change, don't use the Lucas.

 

[dsm4life]

its something you learn to live with . If for some reason you cant, do a search maybe even on FAQ but you can get aftermarket lifters that are suppose to cut the tick out. I would think that the cost isnt really worth it. As long as its not causing any damage or loss of performace why bother

 

[TalonR]

Mines a 94 and I had the problem about two years ago........Except mine seemed to tick loudly all of the time, not just come and go....but I had the timing belt tensioner replaced and it stopped......that was the problem in my car.....now it just the rest of the problems that keep coming....gotta love the dsm's