1997 850 Stuck lifter?

Redbox · Post by **Redbox** » 20 Apr 2015, 16:36

Hi all, really need some advice.

97 base 850 wagon with unknown mileage (would guess high). The car has been running fine except for some minor gremlins. I let it sit for about 3 month, then went for a drive and after a few miles, the oil light began to flicker (on and off). Came home and checked the oil, no problem. Took it around the neighborhood and the oil light came on steady after a few miles (3-4). I was just getting ready to do the PCV rebuild, and after reading up, figured out that I need to do the oil pan/pickup seals. Frothy oil on the dipstick, smoke from the tube, etc. When the oil light came on, there was some clatter in the valve train, but nothing severe. Just enough to know the pressure was down.

So, I did the PCV replace/repair, did the oil pan seals (pickup tube seal was cracked). Put it all back together, and started. Everything did some clatter as the oil pressure built up, but stopped, except for one (or maybe two) lifters that are still clattering pretty heavy. I added Sea Foam, and ran some through the intake. Everything looks good (no oil light so far, oil is flying when I take the filler cap off) no smoking dipstick tube, etc. It never sounded or felt better, except for the clatter.

So, I've seen some say to just drive it after using Sea Foam or Marvel, to see if it will smooth out. Others say you could damage the engine running it. Can't really hear it from inside the car, but with the hood up, the ticking is substantial. Just seems to be coming from one spot, not the whole top end. Can't seem to pinpoint with my stethoscope. I've probably let it run for 45 minutes total at low rpm so far.

Anyone have a clue as to what might be going on? I really need to get it on the road, and sure don't want to drop the pan again...

huzzsaba · Post by **huzzsaba** » 20 Apr 2015, 16:46

I would take it for a longer easy drive on the highway and see if that helps.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 20 Apr 2015, 17:12

If the oil light comes back on don't drive it but it is somewhat common for the lifters to be noisy for a few hundred miles after the car has been parked for a while (as in months) and they gradually quiet down with regular driving.

...Lee

Redbox · Post by **Redbox** » 20 Apr 2015, 17:18

I've also seen some pretty grim reports on Fram filters (which I have on now). I picked up a better brand, but kind of wanted to wait till I ran the Sea Foam though it before changing. I'm really hoping it will just magically shut up.

Post by **erikv11** » 20 Apr 2015, 17:26

There's a good chance it will (shut up, that is), it sounds like you've done everything carefully. They can take some time to quiet down.

Redbox · Post by **Redbox** » 20 Apr 2015, 18:53

I'm just concerned that everything quieted but the one (or two). I think I'll try some gentle drive time and cross my fingers. I did a new fuel pump and filter while I did the other stuff, but need to do front struts, and don't want to invest more into it if the engine is going to grenade.

Redbox · Post by **Redbox** » 23 Apr 2015, 19:43

Update: I changed out the oil filter and took it for a gentle 15-20 mile drive and nothing has changed. Still hammering away. Anyone have any insight into what condition would cause just one or two lifters to do this? Never any problem with it before the oil pan/sump pickup seals. No idea what to do next.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 23 Apr 2015, 20:26

There are tiny holes in the lifters where they get supplied with oil and they need to be bathed in oil to stay functioning properly and stay quiet. When you work on the head it is SOP to put the lifters in divided trays and fill the trays with oil to keep them "wet" while you are doing the other work.

With a good oil filter like a Mann that has a good check valve in it the oil stays on the top of the engine after the car is turned off and keeps the lifters soaked in oil. After the car gets parked for an extended period of time the oil eventually drains away and it just takes time to get them full of oil again. Driving for 15 or 20 miles isn't sufficient but if you want to be super safe you can get an oil pressure gauge and plug it into the block at the oil pressure switch port and get a reading. If it is low then the next thing would be the oil pump but they are fairly robust and failures a few and far between.

Given that your oil light did come on early on in this process checking the pressure wouldn't be a bad idea. Book spec at 750 rpm is 15 psi and it goes to 50 psi at 4000 rpm. I don't think the transition is linear and it tends to gain a bunch of pressure between 1000 and 2000 rpm and then flattens out as it goes from 2000 on up.

...Lee

Redbox · Post by **Redbox** » 05 May 2015, 17:05

Thanks to all for the advice. I wanted to post a follow up. I kept the Sea Foam in the oil and drove the car for about 50 miles, and all went quiet. Changed the oil and all is well with the lifters.

Thanks again