Lifter Tick, symptoms... Options

[Redline08]

I've had what i think to be a terrible lifter tick in my 7a since I bought the car, unfortunetaly for me when i bought it i wasnt old enough to drive and i could only drive it back and forth in the ladies driveway to make sure it ran. When i drove it back and forth in her driveway the engine was cold as ice, it was fall and the lady hadn't run the car in quite some time (i know now why). The temperature of the engine being so cold for some reason masked the fact that the engine sounds like total ****. So after searching the threads for the most possible reason as to my horrible sound i diagnosed it as a lifter tick. I confirmed it with my dad who said it doesnt sound like a knock, and it was probably the lifter tap i spoke of.

Im now in search of a cure but in dismay. I really need help with this too, it sounds like crap.

Basically the only thing i can tell you is it sounds fine when it starts up cold, and it never goes away when its warm, at any rpm or throttle level.

Anyone have this problem too? and how did you fix it?

Or how WOULD you fix it, i really need help. Thankyou

[alltracman78]

Well, if it is the lifters theres not much you can do about it, unless the shims are out of adjustment.

Toyotas make that noise, it's part of owning one.
Some are worse than others.

Wheather that's your problem or not is another matter.

[SlowCelica94]

valve adjustment

[Redline08]

valve adjustment

will that totally fix it?

[alltracman78]

Well, if it is the lifters theres not much you can do about it, unless the shims are out of adjustment.

Toyotas make that noise, it's part of owning one.
Some are worse than others.

Wheather that's your problem or not is another matter.

.

[Redline08]

lol, no i want an answer!

[alltracman78]

Maybe

Check the shim to cam clearance.
If it's in spec, you can tighten it up a bit [shims are ~ $10 each at the discount dealers IIRC].
If it's out of spec obviously tighten it up. Unless there's not enough clearance.

Once you're done see if it still ticks.
It probably will, maybe less though.

[Redline08]

ok, well theres got to be a concrete way to fix them, they dont roll out of the factory sounding like this.

When do they usually start ticking? maybe a new engine is in order.

[n1ckz0r]

There isnt anything wrong with the engine right? Why would you purchase a new one just becuase of the sound? As to my knowledge most toyotas make this noise, and i have been told yes it is the lifters. I was once told a valve adjustment would do teh trick, i beleive auto shops can do this, I have also been told to try SeaFoam. I have tried SeaFoam and although the engine ran smoother after use I did not see any improvement in noise. Meh, not that big of a deal IMO.

[lagos]

you should probably post a vid of this noise. thats pretty much the best way to get a diagnosis over the net.

[Redline08]

Its a lifter tick im positive, and IMO it is a really big deal. You could have all the exterior mods you want and it wouldnt mean a thing if your engine sounds like crap, thats an auto ricer label right there.

N1ck0rz, are u sure the valve adjustement will quiet them?

[SlowCelica94]

What's your mileage? Toyota's heads are naturally a bit noisy, but I'm willing to bet you're due of a valve adj. Also run some high quality oil. Those two things should have you set.

[iparadox]

What's your mileage? Toyota's heads are naturally a bit noisy, but I'm willing to bet you're due of a valve adj. Also run some high quality oil. Those two things should have you set.

I used to own a first gen Eclipse and they are also notorious for noisy lifters too. I found good results with Lucas Oil stabilizer and it helped fix the noise pretty good.

[SlowCelica94]

Lucas oil stabilizer is like gorilla snot! Thick as all hell, but really great for the top end and proper start-up lubication.