lifter tick and oil filter

850GLT-NA · Post by **850GLT-NA** » 15 Jan 2013, 13:10

Hi everyone,

long time reader, first time poster.. great forum

I am trying to diagnose a constant lifter tick (warm or cold), and before I pull the oil pan and replace the o rings, I figured I keep it simple and start with the basics.

I have read posts on how non-original oil filters may cause lifter tick, and purchased a new oil filter from the Volvo dealer and going to be replacing it.

I have just had an oil and filter change done a few weeks ago (bought Castrol GTX 10w30 and supplied it to the shop), but unfortunately they used a cheapie no name oil filter which may or may not be causing the lifter tick.

I don't want to drain the oil as it's still clean and fresh... and what I am wondering is... if I remove the filter, will a large quantity of oil be drained or will the amount of oil be limited to what's in the filter housing? Car in question is a 95 850 GLT non turbo, manual.

reason I am asking is if it's going to be a messy affair, I'd like to be prepared ahead of time and get a large flat container to capture the spill, or even take it to the shop and have it done there.

Thanks, please let me know and I will report back on whether the OEM filter fixes the issue or not.

850GLT-NA · Post by **850GLT-NA** » 15 Jan 2013, 13:13

just to recap, this is assuming that I do not drain the oil in the oil pan, and just remove the oil filter (while there's oil in the pan still) .. will there be a lot of spill, or is all the oil held in the pan, lower than the filter housing, and therefore no risk of spilling?

Post by **rmmagow** » 15 Jan 2013, 13:19

I'm guessing it's not the filter but to do what you want to do, get a nice clean pan to put under the filter before you take it off and catch the oil to pour it back in. I'd pour it back in through some gauze like material to be sure to catch any chunks. This is one area when one of those top-sider suction type oil changers can come in handy. I betting on O-rings though.

Post by **cn90** » 15 Jan 2013, 13:23

There is roughly 1/2 qt inside the filter itself.
Just place a catch pan, the oil spill is small as long as you keep the filter in the same orientation.
Just remember to add another 1/2 qt later.
To install: turn the filter by hand (wear rubber glove) until it stops, then tighten another 1/2 turn or so.

Next time, order a whole bunch of Mann or Mahle oil filters, maybe 2-year supply or so to save on shipping cost.

All the detail is in here:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=42989

Post by **jblackburn** » 15 Jan 2013, 13:23

Cheap filter will only tick for ~5 seconds at startup.

Not too much oil will drain out removing the filter and keeping it right-side up - maybe a half a cup or so. Have a pan under the car for sure.

If you hear a tick at ~1500 RPM and above, you have a problem with the oil pickup in the pan. Sounds like this is your issue considering your post makes it sound like it happens even once the engine has been running for a while.

Roadrunner · Post by **Roadrunner** » 15 Jan 2013, 14:23

Jblackburn

My car has a ticking lifter but I thought it was do to wear like most cars.
To my understanding if one replace this O-ring at the pick up tube this ticking will stop?
Because I thought it was wear I have been adding stuff to help with this lifter noise.
I guess when I do this I can also fix my low oil warning device also.

Thanks for the info Jblackburn!

Post by **jblackburn** » 15 Jan 2013, 14:27

Roadrunner wrote:Jblackburn

My car has a ticking lifter but I thought it was do to wear like most cars.
To my understanding if one replace this O-ring at the pick up tube this ticking will stop?
Because I thought it was wear I have been adding stuff to help with this lifter noise.
I guess when I do this I can also fix my low oil warning device also.

Thanks for the info Jblackburn!

One lifter, or ALL lifters? One - Italian tuneup. All - O-rings.

The lifters on 1993-1998 are hydraulic and self adjust. 1999-2000 are mechanical and will require adjustment over 100K miles, much like a Honda.

Roadrunner · Post by **Roadrunner** » 15 Jan 2013, 14:54

jblackburn wrote:
Roadrunner wrote:Jblackburn

My car has a ticking lifter but I thought it was do to wear like most cars.
To my understanding if one replace this O-ring at the pick up tube this ticking will stop?
Because I thought it was wear I have been adding stuff to help with this lifter noise.
I guess when I do this I can also fix my low oil warning device also.

Thanks for the info Jblackburn!
One lifter, or ALL lifters? One - Italian tuneup. All - O-rings.

The lifters on 1993-1998 are hydraulic and self adjust. 1999-2000 are mechanical and will require adjustment over 100K miles, much like a Honda.

From what I can tell it maybe two to four lifters ticking and I mostly hear them at slow speads or stopped. My car in a 1993.
I may just have to buit the built and have a mechanic give it a once over.

850GLT-NA · Post by **850GLT-NA** » 15 Jan 2013, 17:37

I appreciate the response everyone, thank you

I replaced the filter and gave the old one to the local lube place for proper disposal

the ticking noise is there but on closer inspection, it appears to originate from the injector area and not the valve cover (used a scope to listen). The valvetrain is pretty quiet.

I know injectors do make ticking/clacking/clicking sounds, but on mine they are pretty loud. You cannot hear it if the hood is closed, but once the hood is open, you can clearly hear something is amiss.

I don't recall being able to hear them on my previous 850, or any other car for that matter... is it normal to have loud injectors?

I don't have any drive-ability issues, gets decent gas mileage, passes emission test, and runs pretty smooth with no evidence of shaking/misfiring, so injectors do work, albeit loud!

I am relieved that it's not the valvetrain that's making the noise.. I was not looking forward to re/re the oilpan

cheers