Increased Lifter Noise?

[4G63dsmpwr]

I have a 90 TSi with 170k on the stock motor, and yesterday while taking care of a few small things under the hood, with the car running I noticed a new noise.

Its loudest directly above the valve cover, and sounds like just LOUDER lifter tick. I've owned a DSM before, and experienced lifter tick, but it was never this loud.

The problem is also not consistent, sometimes its louder than others, and sometimes you can't hear it at all? I ran it by my father, who's a mechanic (but doesn't know much about these cars, more V8's and stuff) and he said "the lifters need to be adjusted".

Well, thanks for the space and any help!

P.S. I'll check back and answer any questions you guys have tomorrow that might help you diagnose the problem!

 

[qwall]

yea it's a common problem. You can get a set of 3g lifters to fix it.

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by 4G63dsmpwr
I ran it by my father, who's a mechanic (but doesn't know much about these cars, more V8's and stuff) and he said "the lifters need to be adjusted".

Yeh. Thanks, dad. You might point out to him that they're hydraulic. He's thinking of Datsuns.

You may be able to forestall a lifter job with a can of RESTORE from Wal*Mart. For reasons unknown to me, DSMs seem to like the stuff.

Others have reported lifter silencing with different oil filters (??) and/or oil viscosity switching.

Check your harmonic balancer to make sure it's not failing.