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Engine ticking noise

Tiny
TONY SKOW
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • MANUAL
  • 120,000 MILES
I just replaced the head in my car. Now there is a ticking noise that I believe is coming from beneath the cylinder head. I believe it to be a bad lifter, that the push rods sit down into. Any help/suggestions?
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 AT 8:52 AM

14 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It could be a bad lifter, some of these with high mileage would wear the lifter bore out as well but only way to see it is to look. You can try one of the chemical additives to fix it.
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 AT 9:28 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,002 POSTS
The only thing you could try that doesn't involve removing the head and changing the lifter out would be to add something like marvel mystery oil to the oil and see if it cleans out the crud in the lifter.
First I would change the oil with a synthetic, then add the MMO following the directions and hope it does the trick. The other option is to pull the head and replace the bad lifter.
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 AT 11:21 AM
Tiny
TONY SKOW
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
If I replace the lifters, I have to replace the camshaft as well, from what I have been told.
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 AT 11:32 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
No only if the bottom of lifter is bad and worn.
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 AT 11:57 AM
Tiny
TONY SKOW
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I'm going to get oil and additive now. I'll try that and let you know how it does. So If that doesn't work I can put a different lifter in it and not have to replace the camshaft?
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 AT 12:05 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
As long as the lifter isn't cupped or worn on the bottom it's ok. If it is cupped then the cam is worn as well and will need replacing. If it looks shiny most of the time it's good to go with a new lifter
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 AT 12:48 PM
Tiny
TONY SKOW
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Just tried the oil and oil additive, and it's still doing it. Guessing my next step is to pull the head off and check the lifters.
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 AT 2:15 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Ya know this stuff doesn't work instantly you have to give it at least 100 miles of driving. Also when you adjusted valves did you adjust them correctly?
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 AT 3:15 PM
Tiny
TONY SKOW
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Adjusted valves? The rocker arm?
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 AT 3:38 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,002 POSTS
That engine should have roller lifters in it as well, Shouldn't need to worry about the cam as long as the roller is OK.
The additives take a bit to work, they need to circulate and dissolve the crud.
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+1
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 AT 4:23 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
The rocker arms should have been put on in the order they were removed then on reinstall torqued down to 22 ft. Lbs. Yes it has roller rockers.
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 AT 4:44 PM
Tiny
TONY SKOW
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Then yes, the manual told me 19ft lbs though
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 AT 5:12 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,959 POSTS
You will be okay @ 20
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Monday, March 27th, 2017 AT 3:08 PM
Tiny
TONY SKOW
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
They are tightened down to 19, which is what the repair manual states.
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Tuesday, March 28th, 2017 AT 8:50 AM

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