collapsed lifter ID

BMFB

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So, I've got an extra noise going on that didn't used to be there. Its gota tick, but alot of other noise with it, like, a tick with a bit of duration.

My first thought was exhaust leak, and it still could be, but I looked over everything and didn't find anything to be loose or cracked.

It with sort of make the sound at idle, but I don't really hear it unless there is a load on the motor, the more load the louder it gets.

The truck still seems to be running good, idles fine, doesn't seem to have a miss. makes boost (I've been taking it way easy, not revving it over 3k)

The sound it definitly following the rotation of the motor. It seems to be on the passenger side more than anything, twords the back.

It first started when my first (ha..) 20G started leaking oil and I put on my 17c in the meantime of repairing it. It was just there the next time I drove the truck afterwords.

There is also a bit of oil smoke coming from the passenger side of the motor, near the turbo. I check it and I can't find any leaks., I think it could be from when I blew my turbo apart and oil got everywhere when I was taking it off. the whole truck smells like burning oil, but again, its prolly because I dumped nearly a quart into the exhaust...I also took off the oil fill cap and checked for blow by, which there was none (my first thought was that I had blow by and it had blown the pcv valve(s) out and that was my sound and oil smell, but I can't find any evedance of it, although I can't see much of it under the intercooler).

So, my questions are:

any ideas?

would a collapsed lifter noticibly effect how the truck runs.

if I were to get into the valve cover could I ID a collapsed lifter by collapsing it by hand with the rocker? if so, how much effort shoudl I expect it to take...

if you have any videos of what one sounds like it would be nice, I searched youtube but its always 'hey what is this?" and they never say what they figured it out to be.

Is it possible to replace then without lifting the intake (I can't remember how big those holes are on L35 heads)
 

Throws

Active member
Re: collapsed lifter ID

...if you have any videos of what one sounds like it would be nice, I searched youtube but its always 'hey what is this?" and they never say what they figured it out to be.

Not sure if it would work in this case, but have you tried the old "screwdriver against the ear" stethoscope trick? Might be able to locate it?

Is it possible to replace then without lifting the intake (I can't remember how big those holes are on L35 heads)

If it's like other heads I've worked on.... no. At least you won't have to pull the head, but the intake is a must. I'm going to do mine at the same time as when I do a (eventual) cam.

Good luck!

-P
 

jollygreen1964

Donating Member
Re: collapsed lifter ID

with valve cover off and engine running covers everyware since some oil will be spritzing put your finger on each rocker arm, either end and feel the thump, if it is a really hard thump it is your lifter others will be less violent since they are cushoned, then you can slowly adjust lifter in till noise goes away to confirm.
 

Don W.

Stab it and steer it
Re: collapsed lifter ID

Doesn't help you any but my motor has a tick as well. Funny thing about mine is through three rebuilds it's always been there. But a couple questions for ya:

Is it worse when you start it? And if so does it go, mostly, away fairly quickly? Like within seconds. If this happens then I'd suspect a lifter.

You can buy little clip-on "seals" that clip over the rockers which allows you to run the motor without spitting oil all over the place. So with clips, or not if you choose, get a 3, may 5 thousands feeler gauge and run it under each rocker (with motor running of course). If you have a loose lifter you hear it go quiet when you get to it. Also the others will be more difficult to get the gauge under.

Of course with the covers off it might make it easier to narrow down the noise also.

HTH
 

ed hess

race or get outta the way
Re: collapsed lifter ID

since you are saying Tick with duration, have a look at your flexplate bolts for being loose and or flexplate cracking.
 
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