Problem Out of Nowhere - Super Loud Clicking

[DWR-DSM]

Ok, I left base for one day to get my DSM for I can have something to drive at Fort Dix NJ, when I started my car there was a few problems. First my car wouldnt hold a charge so I changed the battery and the problem went away, I needed some gas because it was on E so I filled it up, and the last problem Im having is a serious loud clicking noise from the drivers side of the engine. It sounds like it is coming from the area of the cam gears, but i see nothing. It sounds weird once the car starts but once I hit the gas its a crazy clicking/ticking sounds that I never heard before. I put a little more oil in my car and turned the boost down just to make sure it wasnt the turbo. The parts listed in my profile arent on but a MBC & camgears(timing belt & water pump are new), the rest is in my house waiting for me. When I last drove the car it was May 7th, the last day of R&R b4 I had to go back to Iraq and there was zero clicking sound. I searched the forums but everyone else problems seems like it is coming from somewhere else compared to mine. Please help thanks

 

[delta448]

Check the timing belt. Make sure your timing is still correct, all marks line up. Make sure your tensioner is still holding the belt tight and that the balance shaft belt is still intact.

If it's not coming from the belt, it's probably the lifters. They may have collapsed from thin oil draining out of them if the car sat a long time. An oil change may help if no parts have been broken.

If it's not the lifters, then it's either:
bent valves
dislodged rockers
a broken valvespring
a broken spark plug electrode
a piece of debris on the valvetrain or timing belt

No matter what it is, I would check everything very carefully before running the car again. For your sake, I hope you didn't already bend some valves.

 

[4g63Powered]

Sitting that long... I'm gonna have to go with the lifters being the culprit.

 

[DWR-DSM]

delta448, Im going to go step by step to see whats causing it from what you listed thanks

 

[ali]

I'm gonna have to go with the lifters also

 

[DWR-DSM]

If it was my lifters should I just replace them because it could happen again or is there another fix to it?

 

[Talon64]

If it is the lifters you either just get used to it or get new lifters. I noticed before I change the oil I pour a little seafoam in the motor. Then drive around the block and let it sit and change the oil. It makes the lifters less noticeable. Also using full synthetic 5w 30 helps quite them. Well this worked for me but others might disagree.

 

[DWR-DSM]

I got a ported n polised head in my house with lifters on them, Im just going to replace my whole head instead of taking the lifters off in one shot, and it is more than likely my lifters

 

[Talon64]

Good idea and check all belts and tensioners when you put the new head on.

 

[Colt4G63 also]

My lifters make that horrible noise sometimes too. I find that if I turn off the engine and restart it, sometimes it stops. Or I can engage the clutch so the car almost stalls, and it'll quiet down sometimes too. Once it's warm I never have the noise.

If you got a built head ready to go then you got no worries, but maybe those tips will get you around till then.

 

[DWR-DSM]

I hope it works, good thing I ordered them heads and had them sitting for a few weeks just when I need it and I have it. When my car warms up the sounds doing decrease or increase, I will let everyone know how I come out today if I could get around to it. Thanks for all the tips and input.

 

[Talon64]

The sound should decrease when the car is warm.

 

[DWR-DSM]

No sounds change at all, I would think it would change alittle something but nothing.

 

[Colt4G63 also]

The lifter is probably fully bled down and stuck. I would do tht swap quick before rocker falls out.

 

[STI2TALON]

Someone correct me if im wrong but while you have the head off maybe upgraded the lash adjusters.

 

[delta448]

Someone correct me if im wrong but while you have the head off maybe upgraded the lash adjusters.

He's already said that he will.

I got a ported n polised head in my house with lifters on them, Im just going to replace my whole head instead of taking the lifters off in one shot, and it is more than likely my lifters

Our DOHC heads use a hydraulic lifter. This means there is no need for any lash adjustment. If the lifters (which DSMers often call lash adjusters) are replaced with solid lifters, such as the BLE kit then the lash adjustment is still built in, but is definitely not automatic, and must be frequently checked in order to assure the best performance.

I think I'll stick with the less maintenance route myself.