Ticking???

[t3/t4eclipse]

I suppose you could call this a noob question but im not sure. Most of the time when my car is running I get a little tick tick tick tick. Sounds like a slowed down version of an injector pulse coming from the cams. I have only owned my car for a week or so, so I was wondering if this sound I am hearing is a normal thing for most of us with turbos????

 

[dis_ill_usion]

what it is that I think your experiencing is called lifter tick

I copy and pasted the article but to read the original article go to www.vfaq.com/index-main.html scroll down to "engine, intake, & exhaust" and click on "My engine makes a 'tick tick tick' sound. What is it? Is there a fix?"



My engine makes a 'tick tick tick' sound. What is it? Is there a fix?

This is commonly attributed to the hydraulic lash adjusters (lifters) used in the DSM cars. Other cars have similar problems - Mazda owners, for example, refer to them as HLA problems. Other possible causes include excessive carbon buildup on the valves and piston heads.

The general consensus is that this problem is not damaging to the engine. Indeed, many owners have lived with the problem for years with no side effects. In extreme cases, it is possible that the ticking may be picked up by the ECU as knock, causing a retardation in timing that will cost some engine power. This case seems to be the exception, not the rule, since the DSM ECU only 'listens' for knock during specific time intervals.

In the past, owners have reported that their tick appeared or went away with certain oil brands, oil weights, oil filters, oil pressures or the like. These 'solutions' appear to be car-specific and do not represent a real fix, but some experimentation may help alleviate the problem. Some owners find that adding a small amount of extra oil helps to raise oil pressures and minimize the ticking, but again, it doesn't work for everyone.

Yet another solution involves realigning the lifters in the engine to promote better oil retention. Jeff Brinkerhoff recently did so with excellent results, reported in the December 2, 1998 Digest. Bryan Cobb has followed his example with similar success. Check the FAQ Locator to find the procedure.

Simply replacing the problem lifters is unquestionably the best option. The lifters have been redesigned to eliminate the tick. There is a VFAQ on this process, which is not terribly difficult, and involves about as much work as realigning the existing lifters. Use the FAQ Locator to find it. The newer lifters apparantly do not rotate, and do not suffer from alignment problems.

There have actually been a few versions of the lifters. The original were Mitsubishi part number MD149309 used in 1990 to 1997 cars. A redesigned version (part MD337687) was then introduced, and was replaced yet again by part MD377054. This latest part number is reportedly the best version but the availability may be limited if dealerships still have some of the older part still in inventory.

Those who search the archives may find a post detailing a noisy lifter solution, posted by Mike Ferrara. This solution does not actually deal with the lifters themselves, but rather concerns itself with the problem of carbon deposits on the valves. It is a relatively dangerous procedure, as it involves pouring automatic transmission fluid into the intake of the engine. As fluids are incompressible, a miscalculation can literally devastate your engine. A few DSMers have experienced major engine damage from performing this procedure incorrectly. Thus, this procedure is not recommended for the novice mechanic.

Rather than doing this dangerous procedure, those who have non-lifter tick problems should consider using Mopar Combustion Chamber Cleaner on their car. Other Digest members have had considerable success using it to clean major carbon deposits in the DSM engines. Read this page for details. Also read this post by Jeffery Micheal and these posts (1 & 2) from Pete Paraska for their experiences with the product.

Other sources of non-lifter tick include exhaust system problems including a cracked exhaust manifold, broken exhaust maifold bolt or stud, cracked turbine housing or other exhaust leak. Some owners have reported that their tick went away after changing, repairing or upgrading their manifolds. Others have found that their spark wires (whether new, old, upgraded or whatever) were arcing to the block, causing a sparking sound they mistook for lifter tick. This is usually detected by looking under the hood at a running engine in the dark. Finally, a few owners are sure their ticking is really the injectors firing.

 

[t3/t4eclipse]

Damn thanks man. That just about sumed up every single part of that question. Thanks

 

[Tsi_User]

yeah that was a great post, I learned some new stuff also

Just like his post said, many people have tried different things to reduce or get rid of lifter tick. One option is to put 3g lifters in your ride.

 

[Lunch_Box]

A friend of mine used engine restore in his talon and it helped out the ticking quite a bit.

 

[onlyhonestone]

mine goes away when the engines good and heated, in the morning it ticks though, for a while it concerned me, but my buddy told me its not a serious problem, i added a little bit more oil and it helped, should adding a heavier weight oil help out more?

 

[eder-loco]

Mine also goes away when it heats up.
and i have 3g lifters...