What can cause lifter noise?

[Pah Wraith]

I went to look at a 92' Talon Tsi today and it just had a lot of lifter noise. Is there a common problem that can cause it? Any ideas on what it could be? Any help is appreciated.

 

[GSTBlack95]

one would be a lack of oil for one..thats what mine does when its low on oil.

 

[slider85]

try searching, very common problem and you will have to replace them with the 3G ones to stop that ticking. As well, if it's a turbo, check out "Phantom Knock".

 

[Pah Wraith]

I checked the oil when I was looking at it. it was full and he said he had changed it not to long ago.

 

[slider85]

more than likely they are worn out and should be replaced. not a hard job you can probably do it yourself but the new lifters are expensive depending on where you buy them. and changing oil weights or whatever won't help, they have to be replaced. I did mine a few months ago and the engine sounds great now

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

A new set of 16 3g (3mm) lifters runs about $100 on ebay.

 

[dmc67]

dunno if it's me or this worked, I use to use a fram oil filter from wal-mart and I had lifter tick when I'd start the car and it was cold. well I went to a Purolator filter and viola the lifter tick is gone. I also use 10w30 Valvoline Max Life Synthetic.

 

[slider85]

the two have nothing in common. if you're lifters are clogged and/or old and worn then changing oil, filters, or whatever won't help. I tried synthetic, regular, additives. the only thing that worked is new lifters

 

[dmc67]

well man I am by far no newbie when it comes to mechanic work on vehicles and I know lifter tick b/c I had a 95 corsica that done it. and I know it done it for a couple months and i switch filter and it dont do it for now, I dont know for how long but I do know it dont do it now.

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

I've read that dirty rockers can cause similar noise to lifter tick. Cleaning products, oil or filter change, etc, might have an effect on that. The problem with 1G lifters issn't dirtiness or anything like that. it's a design problem. They just tick.