1998 2.4 Camshafts in 1999 T5

[xApprchsNfnty]

Looks like bad lifters don't necessarily need to be replaced as long as the top is still flat and can be cleaned out to work like new, so I think I'll do that.

But is there an issue with running bad lifters? I suppose if the lifter piston is stuck 'out' rather than stuck 'in' it could be keeping the valves open. I did test the lifters from cyl#2 which did not have leaking valves and cyl#5 which did and their lifters were essentially the same.

[bmdubya1198]

If they're loudly clacking constantly, they are worn out and need replacement. If not, you probably have nothing to worry about.

[xApprchsNfnty]

I decided to disassemble/clean them. When reassembled, they all spring back easily since I didn't pre-fill them (but I did test the check valve). I'll submerge them in oil and pump the piston until all of the air escapes which will leave the one-way interior chamber to fill with oil once reinstalled and there's pressure so that they form-fit to the clearance between the valve and the cam. I think this is the best procedure.

[RickHaleParker]

If they're loudly clacking constantly, they are worn out and need replacement. If not, you probably have nothing to worry about.

Not necessarily. It could be a defective Oil Pick Up Tube O-ring. A defective Oil Pick Up Tube O-ring is like a straw with a hole in it. It works but not as effectively. Not enough oil gets to the lifters. They don't pump up completely then clatter because of the gap between the valve train components. Pretty common on high mileage engines

[bmdubya1198]

If they're loudly clacking constantly, they are worn out and need replacement. If not, you probably have nothing to worry about.

Not necessarily. It could be a defective Oil Pick Up Tube O-ring. A defective Oil Pick Up Tube O-ring is like a straw with a hole in it. It works but not as effectively. Not enough oil gets to the lifters. They don't pump up completely then clatter because of the gap between the valve train components. Pretty common on high mileage engines

That’s true. As long as the lifters hold pressure they should be fine, restricted oil flow is another concern.

[xApprchsNfnty]

Ok, head back on the block and all cylinders between 5-10% leak! Lovely! So it was definitely either poorly seating valves or stuck lifters. Either way, I'm solid. Hope to get it all back together and on the road in the next day or so. And with those numbers I'm not at all regretting that I didn't re-ring it when I had the chance. Stoked.

Thanks everyone for all the help. The initial intent was to get it ready to sell as I've already bought its replacement. It'll be a little harder to let go now.

[bmdubya1198]

Nice! Glad to hear it seems to be fixed!

[xApprchsNfnty]

Car's running great but I have this loud ticking sound which I'm 99.9% sure is not lifters (they quieted down after the first drive). Sounds like it's coming from the exhaust side of the engine. Here is a video of it. It is the higher pitched tick not the rumble-esque sound, although I think their rate is about the same:



The sound happens in all gears with the same frequency of ticks. The ticks increase with rpm and they're present most during accel and deccel. I suspected an exhaust gasket leak somewhere so did some digging. I sent compressed air through the tailpipe and sprayed manifold/downpipe with soapy water, no bubbles from what I could tell. I removed the intake tubing and spun the intake turbine with compressed air, no sound and spun with ease. Sound does seem more present when engine is cold but is always there. I played around with the wastegate and there was no change. I've tightened all of my manifold bolts (they were all tight to begin with) and when it cools down I'll run it with the downpipe removed.

Any thoughts? I've found a lot of videos with similar sounds that turned out to be leaking gaskets but that doesn't seem to be my issue.

EDIT*
Similar sound here and apparently for him is was lifters. Hmm...

[bmdubya1198]

That definitely sounds like an exhaust leak to me. Does it sound loud around the cam cover too? The deeper tone in the exhaust makes me think that's more likely than lifter tick. Unless of course you have a modified exhaust.

[xApprchsNfnty]

That's my thought too, I did throw some MMO in the oil and drove it liberally for awhile just to see if that would change it at all and it didn't. Stock exhaust.

It was hard to see the top of the manifold when looking for bubbles so I used that ebay endoscope but it was still hard to see. I think I'll remove the DP tomorrow and see if it goes away. If not, I'll pull the manifold again, put some hi-temp sealant on the gaskets and reuse them.

Found a good suggestion to stuff the tailpipe and siphon seafoam to the intake and see where it smokes.

UPDATE
Seafoam did the trick and found that one of my manifold gaskets slipped as I was installing it.