cost in fixing noisy lifters

[Glennb]

Hi all, just a couple of questions for the mechanics out there. I drive a 95 mitsu Paj 3ltr and the engine is becoming a little noisy with a tick tick noise. Have tried all oils to get rid of it but is still there, so Im thinking damage has been done to the lifters/tappets.
So what would I be looking at in hours of labour for this to be fixed and best and worse case for cost on parts?
Cheers
Glenn

[coxy321]

Have tried all oils to get rid of it but is still there, so Im thinking damage has been done to the lifters/tappets.

Not sure whether your motor has mechanical or hydraulic lifters, but have you adjusted the clearance on them?? I think you'll find that its more of a maintenence issue than i dieing motor issue.

Probly $200 or so for an adjustment, unless it uses a shim arrangement, in which case it could be up to $600-$700.

Usually changing to an unusually thicker oil is a last resort for completely shagged motors.

Coxy

[WOZ]

Oil flush x2 , run for 20 minutes. Drain oil when hot. Replace filter and some quality 10/30 oil. Fixes 90%of the ones i`ve fixed. These engines have very small oil feeds to the lash adjusters so they must keep the oil clean and the write grade. To thick in the oil - noisey lash adjusters. Hope this helps , Woz.

[InSanE]

get yourself some Nulon lifter treatment mate that stuff is magic i have had rattly old shit box's in at work with lifters tapping off there brain and this stuff works a treat just add it to your oil take the car for a good thrash and it should clear up

[Glennb]

Thanks guys, Ive tried the nulon stuff, it quieten it down a little but noise is still there. With the thinner oil it became worse when the car first starts up but gets a little better after 5 or 10 mins of driving but still there. I have at this stage have 1 litre of magnetech oil in it and seems to of helped a with the noise in the first 5-10 mins of engine running but the noise is still there.
cheers
Glenn

[oldbrowny]

A mate went through the same thing on a paj. It ended up being in the exhaust, the seal that joins the header to the main exhaust. Apparently it is a common thing and sound just like tappet noise.

Good luck.

[South]

The 'fix' on the 3.5L mitsu was to get it up to temperature, and then hold the revs at 3000rpm for 10-20 sec, then idle for the same time, then 3000rpm for same time... do this ten times

This flushes the shit out. Run a quality oil too, we put Mobil S in ours every 5k kms, tappets only go off now if its been sitting for a few days, 1km down the road everything is back to normal.

[rojak]

Turn up the stereo, tends to get rid a lot of engine noise, squeaks, rattles etc

[bazzle]

Hopefully its not camshaft wear, the exh leaks have caught out a few

Bazle

[Glennb]

how do you check if its an exhaust noise? use a hose to the ear Im guessing. I do have a couple of holes in the muffler , would this that would make a similar noise.

[Ruffy]

how do you check if its an exhaust noise? use a hose to the ear Im guessing. I do have a couple of holes in the muffler , would this that would make a similar noise.

No. You'll only get a ticking noise from the exhaust where the headers/manifold bolt up to the cylinder head.
Lubegaurd do a good lifter treatment. if treatments are doing the job then your next step is to have the oil pressure checked. If you have low oil pressure the lifters are the first thing to faulter. Ultimately if the oil pressure is ok and you lifters still tap then there is no harm in putting up with the noise if you can..
Cheers Dan