Noisy Tapets.

[spd_dmn]

In the last week I've been getting a really loud ticking sound, I was told it's the tapets, because I've neglected to change the oil in a while. There's still plenty of oil in it. It's really pissing me off, how can I make them quiet? I think it's just 1 that's playing up.

My mechanic said to service it, oil, etc. But I don't know wether he meant that would fix it or just stop it getting worse, (if it could).

Oh, it's a blue 202 by the way.

[308vkcalais]

Mite be a blocked/bent pushrod or a buggered lifter or a stuck valve.At least you were honest about your engine oil neglect.I change mine every 5,000kms.I keep my old oil for my bike chains & soak parts in.

[craigvk]

Servicing it won't help. And they are generally called hydraulic lifters. They move with the camshaft and push your push rods up and down, making the valves open and close.

You have two options.

1. If the noise only happens when the engine is cold or the first 2-3 kilometres, then you can get a Nulon lifter-free addtive.

2. If not the above, you'll need to replace them. And while you are at it, it's good practice to replace the cam with it.

[Dan355]

If u going to use an additive to try and unblock the lifters then you really need to do an oil change at the same time. As oil gets older it does deteriate and get alot thinner than new oil. You could also use a slightly thicker oil. I think that changing your cam is a waste of time lmao thats a big overkill. Try the oil additive first then if its still noisy change your lifters. If you change your lifters you mite aswel check if you have any major slop in your rockers this can also contribute to this noise.

[308vkcalais]

Yer, wouldn't hurt to change the oil in it.Take a run down to bigW, they're the cheaperst for engine oil.Stop at the local auto shop on the way home & grab an el cheapo oil filter.I dun buy the expensive ones as I feel they're all the same.I buy the smaller oil filter type Z160 rather than the larger sort.I forget it's part no# now.By the time you get home you're oil will be stinking hot & ready to change.Try & get the blue or white coloured sort so u can write the date & kms on it for next time it's up for a doing.Keep your old empty oil container & cut the front out & you have an oil catcher for next time.

[craigvk]

If u going to use an additive to try and unblock the lifters then you really need to do an oil change at the same time. As oil gets older it does deteriate and get alot thinner than new oil. You could also use a slightly thicker oil. I think that changing your cam is a waste of time lmao thats a big overkill. Try the oil additive first then if its still noisy change your lifters. If you change your lifters you mite aswel check if you have any major slop in your rockers this can also contribute to this noise.

If you have 23 year old worn out lifters, you'll have a 23 year old worn out camshaft. Replacing just the lifters with new ones and leaving the cam as is, isn't exactly a brilliant idea.

[spd_dmn]

Cheers fellas. I'm always prepared to give anything a shot, (it's the only way to learn) only problem is I no nothing about motors and I 'NEED' my car 6 days a week, so if I stuff up I'm f***ed.

Is it complicated to do and are there any special tools I need.

How much would it cost to get done by a mechanic.

[craigvk]

A set of powerboss lifters is about $70 on ebay. Probably a bit more at auto parts places like Supercheap and Repco. From memory, replacing the lifters is a matter of taking the rocker covers off, taking the rockers and pushrods out. Taking the two side plates off the side of the motor and taking the lifters out. Then you just replace them with the new ones. Replace the side plate gaskets and rocker cover gasket and that's about it. You'll also need some lifter lube.
If you wanted the cam replaced, it would be a bit more advanced.

A mechanic would probably charge $300+ at a guess.

The tools you'd need is just a socket set. You'll need to take off the air con & bracket if you have it which is 4 bolts, also the ignition coil which is one bolt and the distributor if it's in the way.

[Dan355]

If you have 23 year old worn out lifters, you'll have a 23 year old worn out camshaft. Replacing just the lifters with new ones and leaving the cam as is, isn't exactly a brilliant idea.

Why not? Everyone does it........If they have the cash then yea go for it. But why do it on a daily (Assuming it is) Its not very economic just to overcome a noise. Changing your lifters more frequently would help in preventing further wear of your cam.

As for removing the lifters all said is true but just be prepared to have some trouble getting the bastards out. As they wear the edges slightly flare making it very difficult to get them out their bores. I would invest in a lifter removal tool. There about $30 but they get the job done alot quicker.

[craigvk]

Well if it was me (and I will be doing this to my V8) I would replace the cam with the lifters. Why you would want to put new lifters in with a 'likely' worn out cam is beyond me.

Some people would put up with the noise and not bother. There isn't any harm in that really, but if you were going to the effort of doing work on it, you might as well do both while you're at it.

[atrail308]

i second that, new lifters will just wear your old cam quicker...

[Dan355]

Well if it was me (and I will be doing this to my V8) I would replace the cam with the lifters. Why you would want to put new lifters in with a 'likely' worn out cam is beyond me.

Some people would put up with the noise and not bother. There isn't any harm in that really, but if you were going to the effort of doing work on it, you might as well do both while you're at it.

I agree but some people look at it as "more work, more money". It isnt really needed to be done just to fix a noise thats all. Any cam thats older than 20yrs old would be close to rooted anyway but they all do the job, just less effeciently.

[craigvk]

No worries. I suppose it depends on how much you like your car. I had a set of rooted trailing arm bushes a while back and if I didn't care, I wouldn't have replaced them, but I like my car a lot.

I suppose it's one of those choices you make. Technically there won't be any harm in not replacing it, but personally I would.

[spd_dmn]

ok, so I'm looking at 'bout $130 for lifters and a lifter removal tool. I'm prepared for a few hours work, but what benifets would i get from replacing the cam and how much would a new 1 cost?

It is a daily, but I was considering doing it up a bit more. Just gtta decide on that or save for a new car, because this one really lacks performance and really eats up the petrol, on average it drinks about 22L/100km.

[nizmovk]

if you want it as a project get a cheap car and park the VH then do your mods and the sell the hack

[craigvk]

You should be able to get the lifters cheaper than that. Consider buying them off ebay. I think you can get away with not using a removal tool.

Cams are usually selected for the type of driving you do, and there are also places that do custom grinds. Check out the crow cams site for a replacement camshaft. Prices vary from about $100-$200+. I have seen replacement cams on ebay for about $100.
Camshaft replacement is time consuming and not for the beginner. I would not recommend doing it if you don't know a lot.
Lifters shouldn't be difficult.
You should techinically use a torque wrench when doing up your rocker bolts, but just do them tight enough. Rocker cover bolts don't need to be very tight.

Taking out the push rods and removing the rockers and rocker covers should take about 15 minutes.

The side plates, air con bracket and unit would take about 25 minutes. Then you pop the lifters out and replace them one by one.

They will come as a set of 12. 6 for the inlet valves and 6 for the exhaust valves.

From memory, if you wanted to replace the cam, you'd need to take the fan, water pump, timing case, radiator, condenser, grille and belts off. I think the removal of the cam is one or two bolts that holds the cam there. I am trying to think. I am sure you would need to take the oil pump and distributor out too. I am trying to remember what my GM manuals said when I read them.

Hope this helps

[spd_dmn]

Cheers mate, I think I'll leave the cam. From the sounds of it I'm bound to f*** it up. My dad almost had a heart attack when I told him I was goin to change the lifters meself.

I've got a mate whose good with motors so he can help if I get into trouble, though it doesn't sound too hard. I've got a manual for a torana, not the VH, but it's the same basic principles I think.

[craigvk]

Good luck. Reply here if you get stuck.

Make sure you remove all the old gasket material with a flat blade screwdriver and replace them. The rocker cover gasket is about 10 bucks and the side plate gaskets are about 10 bucks. You need to renew them or there will be dreaded oil leaks.

[craigvk]

And don't forget to change the oil and oil filter! It should be gold then.

[Trevor 062]

I had VC 3.3 blue motor, & what I found was if I didn't fit a RYCO oil filter after I changed the oil, the lifters would rattle there arse off..
So what I'm suggesting is buy some decent oil & a ryco filter.
Do the change & see if that makes any diff.. If it don't ..well worth a try..

[craigvk]

I find using a certain brand of oil filter making any major difference to the lifters hard to comprehend.

[Goon]

Are your rev's and timing normal? don't want her to advanced.. can u hear much when the auto choke is on cold start?

anyhow the jobs upto you.

[Trevor 062]

I find using a certain brand of oil filter making any major difference to the lifters hard to comprehend.

.

me neither to be honest ..but it seemed to work on my shitbox

[DANNY8]

I'm also one of those people that didn't give their motor the required oil change at certain intervals.....and when I decided to pull my entire motor to bits to rebuild....the special lifter tool wouldn't get my lifters out...they were stuck hard in there.

I ended up using a massive screwdriver and a hammer, then punched them out from the bottom (the motor was on my engine stand upside down).

So just be aware that it's a possibility that a little bit more work might be required to remove the lifters. I dunno how often people have the same problem I had, but just thought I would let u know.

[spd_dmn]

Well, I'm getting it serviced today and putting in some lifter lube or something with the oil. If that doesn't work then I'll save the money for the lifters. I have only got Sundays when I can work on the car, and tommorow is the great race, so can't miss that. But I also ain't got the money yet. So I've put her in this morning, public transport today, then pick her up tonight. Hopefully it's quieter.