VX V6 Loud ticking, missing/underpowered. Need help ASAP :)

[MizzVR]

Hey guys, I need help!
I've got myself a VX S Pac II. The engine ticks super loud and its missing/underpowered (not too sure which one). The previous owner took it to Holden and they told him to throw it in the bin, so I picked it up cheap. It was overheating but we worked out that it was the heater tap so we replaced that, that problem is all fixed now.
BUT I'm trying to get it RWC and in my name and the guy won't pass the RWC coz the engine is ticking bad.
At first we thought it might have a cracked head that was causing it to miss so we found a mate who is able to organise a new engine for $400, then we just have to get it put in.
But now the guy who is organising the roady for us reckons that it is just the lifters that are gone and that's causing the ticking and missing and that if we replace them it will solve all our problems.
We have tried new coil packs and that didn't fix it.
Any ideas on what it could be and are we wasting our money on changing the lifters or should we just get a new engine?

Any help is appreciated!

*Just been quoted $1000 to change the lifters and do a major service*

[johnno010684]

Could be lifters mate, have a look on YouTube at some ls1's and see if they sound the same. Pita to change lifters as u have to take heads off which requires new gaskets, head bolts etc but this might give u a chance to have a look at the internals of the engine, you said your gonna throw it away anyway so u got nothing to lose!

[MizzVR]

The previous owner pretty much gave it to me. I've spent a fortune on it so far.....
I'd sell it unrego'd for $5000 as is now.
Its rwc apart from the ticking noise. Rego til March next year

[showbags]

If it's overheated bad, your knock sensors are most likely rooted, so the ticking and misfire is detonation.

[oska]

a ticking engine shouldn't fail a RWC

take it else where

[MizzVR]

Thanks guys. I'm gonna give VicRoads a call about the ticking not being RWC requirement.

[Promotec]

Hi
I have a vx s2, mine is booked in to get the lifters replaced monday, 2 hour labour plus gaskets and lifters, lifters from global or repco etc are 36 each x 12, I got a cheaper set off ebay, apparently the heads dont have to be removed to replace lifters, just rocker covers and rockers and pushrods, youll find more info on these forums about changing lifters.

[matqld]

Take it to a mechenic, ask him whats wrong then Hey i wud tell that mechenic he got to give you a garuantee that if its not the lifters (if he says that is what it is)then all parts and labour are free of charge if he finds its not, because a tapping noise from engine could potentially be many and i trully mean MANY diff things other then lifters...such as BeArInGs is it a deep tap or an up the top tap... be carefull as you can easily be misled and end up with huge mechenic bill...

[MizzVR]

Thanks. I'm getting a friend to do it now and mace engineering is supplying the lifters. Gonna give it a major service n see if that helps too.

[johnno010684]

Hi
I have a vx s2, mine is booked in to get the lifters replaced monday, 2 hour labour plus gaskets and lifters, lifters from global or repco etc are 36 each x 12, I got a cheaper set off ebay, apparently the heads dont have to be removed to replace lifters, just rocker covers and rockers and pushrods, youll find more info on these forums about changing lifters.

i got told on here when i had my vt that the heads had to be removed same as ls1? someone obviously led me up the garden path. unlike 5lt where you can see the lifters when the intake is removed.

[MizzVR]

but mine is a v6?

[undar8ed1]

Hope it works out. also don`t disregard 97bemuda`s post could be summin to it.

[monkeys437]

Could also be cam bearing or bottom end, but lifters are probably most likely if the ticking is coming from the top end.

While its apart you'd be silly not to replace the manifold gaskets with metal ones of an extra 100 bucks (mace has them)

[johnno010684]

but mine is a v6?

i meant the v6 uses the same lifters as the ls1 engine and the ls1's have quite noisy lifters at times, my old ecotec had really noises lifters. disregard my previous post as you dont have to remove the heads to get to the lifters on ecotec. you should be able to put the lifters in yourself all you should need is a feew basic tools and torque wrench

[Cameron P]

i meant the v6 uses the same lifters as the ls1 engine and the ls1's have quite noisy lifters at times, my old ecotec had really noises lifters. disregard my previous post as you dont have to remove the heads to get to the lifters on ecotec. you should be able to put the lifters in yourself all you should need is a feew basic tools and torque wrench

yeah mate, should be fairly easy to do yourself and save some cash

[MizzVR]

Told the mechanic that noisy engine isnt a rwc item. Got it passed. Now car is up for sale!