Lifter tick or something more...?

[TheRock0720]

The car-
1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse - 420a
85,000 miles

Alright I did a head gasket replacement during the end of February which included-

Head Gasket
Head Resurfaced and Cleaned
Valve Seals
Water Pump
Timing Belt
Timing Pulley Tensioners
Timing Belt Hydraulic Tensioner and Arm
Cam Seals
Valve Cover and Spark Plug Gaskets
Coolant Flush
Oil Change (Valvoline Semi-Synthetic 10w-30) with a Fram Oil Filter (didn't realize they weren't such a good filter when I bought it a few months ago. really want to upgrade to a K and N filter soon)
Front O2 Sensor
Drive Belts (PS, Alt., and AC)
Air Filter
Coolant Hoses
A Few Vacuum Lines
PCV Valve

Problem-
Now I've always had a small lifter tick, faint but just enough to listen with the perfect ear. The last couple days (about a week) I've been noticing a loud tapping noise coming from the engine bay when I first start my car from sitting overnight (or just letting it completely cool off for hours) and seems to be getting louder. This noise is pretty loud and is still present when the the rpm's are increased. Now I usually let the car warm up in the morning for about 7 minutes (30-40 degrees outside that early) and I will get in the car and the noise is still present. I will drive the car about a mile and then the noise will slowly get quieter and quieter and returns to the "normal" low and subtle tapping/ticking that I was used to before (which is considered normal for these original 420a lifters).

Has anyone else had this exact issue? Feel free to post.

I have a few ideas of why this is happening, but would like to hear thoughts from others.

 

[bullettdsm]

there vary common on 420a i would do a valve adjustment

Really? How you going to do that?

Op , no to the valve adjustment. Did you check for exhaust leaks? They've been mistaken for anything from lifter tick to rod knock. It would go away as the car warmed up and parts expanded.

MB

 

[TheRock0720]

Update and resolved-

Never looked under the hood when I was hearing the noise (didn't have the time in most cases) but I did find the time today and found the problem. Not the lifters. Not a rod knock. No exhaust leaks. The inner part of the timing belt cover was slightly rubbing on the timing belt. Will tighten the cover up and problem will be solved.

Thanks for your input.

 

[keltalon]

Update and resolved-

Never looked under the hood when I was hearing the noise (didn't have the time in most cases) but I did find the time today and found the problem. Not the lifters. Not a rod knock. No exhaust leaks. The inner part of the timing belt cover was slightly rubbing on the timing belt. Will tighten the cover up and problem will be solved.

Thanks for your input.

Hey thanks for posting the problem solved on this thread it really helps a lot! I can't tell how many threads go unsolved or when solved are never updated

 

[Th3DooM]

I will look that up on my ride. I got exactly the same problem

 

[streetdsmpwr]

I think I have the same problem as well, but on the 4g63. I was just assuming that maybe the lifters were louder on start up because I put in higher lift cams.

 

[TheRock0720]

I think I have the same problem as well, but on the 4g63. I was just assuming that maybe the lifters were louder on start up because I put in higher lift cams.

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This is the best image I could grab off google images since I'm not near my car at the moment.

If you see what I have circled in red is the timing belt cover, that "upper part" of the cover is pushed away from the engine (seems as if the bolts holding it to the engine could be tightened more). As a fix for now I just took some foam circles (about 4"x2") and placed them between the wheel well/air conditioning lines and the timing belt cover so that it will push the cover closer to the engine and not rub on the timing belt. Has been working for over 1,500 miles - just have to adjust the foam piece every week or so, depending.

I can get more pictures later if you want - just let me know.