Ticking since last oil change
#12
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS
Expert Gearhead
Like me...when you type it up, I bet there'* so muich you do naturally that it'* just an oversight in typing.
Gave me a chance to bust yer chops a little. You know too much and the little stuff is too easy to remember some of what your hands do automatically
Gave me a chance to bust yer chops a little. You know too much and the little stuff is too easy to remember some of what your hands do automatically
#13
Retired Senior Admin
Expert Gearhead
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 0
Received 29 Likes
on
25 Posts
Ya, I can see it all in my head. Guess I was only looking at the lifter change and forgot about a few steps to get there. But all and all, it'* not a hard task. Figure 3 hours or so total. No special tools needed other then a torque wrench.
#14
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Thread Starter
Yea, Bill. I don't trust myself to rip apart the top half of my engine alone. Whenever I have the extra funds to pick up the LIM gaskets, a gasket set, some lifters, and enough delicious beverage for two people, you'll be hearing from me.
Tom, I'm currently using Castrol GTX 10W30. If I go 2,500 more miles without getting the parts I need, I'll try the Castrol HM oil.
Tom, I'm currently using Castrol GTX 10W30. If I go 2,500 more miles without getting the parts I need, I'll try the Castrol HM oil.
#15
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Jersey Shore
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#17
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Kitchener On.
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#19
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: New Lenox, IL
Posts: 2,478
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've heard its very rare for a 3800 lifter to fail. It may get stuck, which is what might be happening here. I have this exact same problem, and its actually extremely annoying. The engine idles rough, as in there'* a vibration, and the vibration continues while accelerating, although only during certain rpm ranges. It goes away at anything above 4000 rpm.
In any case, if the lifters are stuck, why not just take them out, pull them apart, soak them in kerosene or lacquer thinner, clean them up nicely, put them back together, and be on your way? Worst case you can replace the pushrods, and you should be on your way. Quite a lot cheaper to clean out your existing lifters than to replace them all. They're around $10 each and you need 12!
This is of course, assuming they are stuck. If the springs have weakened or if they can't hold oil pressure (never heard of it happening on a 3800 lifter), then you'd naturally have to replace them.
I'll be taking all of mine apart and cleaning them up before I drop $120 for new ones. Already tried seafoam and rislone engine treatment, and the tick is still there. Next step is to replace all of the pushrods and clean the lifters.
Speaking of pushrods, have those checked out as well. Make sure they're not worn at the ends and that they aren't bent in any way. Apparently its common for these things to wear after a while and get a tad bit shorter, and noisier.
In any case, if the lifters are stuck, why not just take them out, pull them apart, soak them in kerosene or lacquer thinner, clean them up nicely, put them back together, and be on your way? Worst case you can replace the pushrods, and you should be on your way. Quite a lot cheaper to clean out your existing lifters than to replace them all. They're around $10 each and you need 12!
This is of course, assuming they are stuck. If the springs have weakened or if they can't hold oil pressure (never heard of it happening on a 3800 lifter), then you'd naturally have to replace them.
I'll be taking all of mine apart and cleaning them up before I drop $120 for new ones. Already tried seafoam and rislone engine treatment, and the tick is still there. Next step is to replace all of the pushrods and clean the lifters.
Speaking of pushrods, have those checked out as well. Make sure they're not worn at the ends and that they aren't bent in any way. Apparently its common for these things to wear after a while and get a tad bit shorter, and noisier.
#20
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Thread Starter
I've heard its very rare for a 3800 lifter to fail. It may get stuck, which is what might be happening here. I have this exact same problem, and its actually extremely annoying. The engine idles rough, as in there'* a vibration, and the vibration continues while accelerating, although only during certain rpm ranges. It goes away at anything above 4000 rpm.
In any case, if the lifters are stuck, why not just take them out, pull them apart, soak them in kerosene or lacquer thinner, clean them up nicely, put them back together, and be on your way? Worst case you can replace the pushrods, and you should be on your way. Quite a lot cheaper to clean out your existing lifters than to replace them all. They're around $10 each and you need 12!
This is of course, assuming they are stuck. If the springs have weakened or if they can't hold oil pressure (never heard of it happening on a 3800 lifter), then you'd naturally have to replace them.
I'll be taking all of mine apart and cleaning them up before I drop $120 for new ones. Already tried seafoam and rislone engine treatment, and the tick is still there. Next step is to replace all of the pushrods and clean the lifters.
Speaking of pushrods, have those checked out as well. Make sure they're not worn at the ends and that they aren't bent in any way. Apparently its common for these things to wear after a while and get a tad bit shorter, and noisier.
This is of course, assuming they are stuck. If the springs have weakened or if they can't hold oil pressure (never heard of it happening on a 3800 lifter), then you'd naturally have to replace them.
I'll be taking all of mine apart and cleaning them up before I drop $120 for new ones. Already tried seafoam and rislone engine treatment, and the tick is still there. Next step is to replace all of the pushrods and clean the lifters.
Speaking of pushrods, have those checked out as well. Make sure they're not worn at the ends and that they aren't bent in any way. Apparently its common for these things to wear after a while and get a tad bit shorter, and noisier.
It'* been a while since I've run some Seafoam through. I'll pick up a can with my next oil change.