Loud valvetrain noise suddenly began!

krexken · 11-16-2005, 10:10 PM

I don't know if this engine has hydraulic lifters or no lifters, rockers or anything but this loud tick suddenly began in my 93 1.8l impreza with 160k. It began my last cold startup. The noise is definitely coming from the valve cover area. The engine still runs fine. The noise doesn't change at all with engine fully warmed up and is there at all rpms. I poured a can of mystery oil into it and warmed it up again, drove it a few miles with no change in the noise at all. Does this engine have solid, adjustable rockers, hydraulic lifters, shims and buckets, ?????? I'm kinda like to know what to look for before I pull the valve cover and have a look. TIA

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sixpack subaru · 11-17-2005, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krexken

I don't know if this engine has hydraulic lifters or no lifters, rockers or anything but this loud tick suddenly began in my 93 1.8l impreza with 160k. It began my last cold startup. The noise is definitely coming from the valve cover area. The engine still runs fine. The noise doesn't change at all with engine fully warmed up and is there at all rpms. I poured a can of mystery oil into it and warmed it up again, drove it a few miles with no change in the noise at all. Does this engine have solid, adjustable rockers, hydraulic lifters, shims and buckets, ?????? I'm kinda like to know what to look for before I pull the valve cover and have a look. TIA

You have an EJ18, it has Lifters located inside the rocker arms. Remove the rocker covers, THree bolts either side. Remove the rocker assembly and press down on the lifters, (put rocker on bench upside down), whichever ones move are faulty, you can try to bleed them up by submerging them in oil, pushing the relief valve in with a small pop rivet or simillar and pushing the plunger up and down. If it works you will see tiny bubbles coming out of the relief valve hole. remove the pop rivet. Repeat for all 16

Refit in vehicle and test. Note: this model also known for oil pump backing plate screws coming loose and lowering oil pressure enough to make lifters noisey but not enough to bring oil light on or make engine knock.
hope this helps

Cheers

Sixpack Subaru

krexken · 11-18-2005, 04:01 PM

Thanks for the info, sixpack. I added some Seafoam to the mix of Marvel Mystery oil and engine oil and drove it around about 10 minutes and the noise went away completely! Drained that concoction and put some fresh dino juice in it and hopefully she's ready to roll for another 100k or so.

z · 11-18-2005, 08:16 PM

Wow. What the hell is in that SeaFoam stuff, anyway? I assume it's not detrimental to our engines if people are recommending it?

sixpack subaru · 11-19-2005, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krexken

Thanks for the info, sixpack. I added some Seafoam to the mix of Marvel Mystery oil and engine oil and drove it around about 10 minutes and the noise went away completely! Drained that concoction and put some fresh dino juice in it and hopefully she's ready to roll for another 100k or so.

Cheers Bud

That's why I post here, (Sixpack Kicks Back; Enjoys warm fuzzy feeling....

)
any ideas what grade/brand of engine oil you had when the noise occurred?

Cheers
Sixpack Subaru

krexken · 11-21-2005, 07:35 AM

I've used Wal Mart's Super Tech 20-50 oil in it since I bought the car 40k ago. I've been hesitant to post the brand since I'm not really sure if it would've made a difference or not. Typically I'm not swayed much by the usual oil company scare tactics although I did switch to Super Tech's full synthetic 10-30 for this last refill. At $12 for a five quart jug, it eases my conscience a tad.

11-16-2005, 10:10 PM	#1
krexken Scooby Newbie Member#: 100901 Join Date: Nov 2005	Loud valvetrain noise suddenly began! I don't know if this engine has hydraulic lifters or no lifters, rockers or anything but this loud tick suddenly began in my 93 1.8l impreza with 160k. It began my last cold startup. The noise is definitely coming from the valve cover area. The engine still runs fine. The noise doesn't change at all with engine fully warmed up and is there at all rpms. I poured a can of mystery oil into it and warmed it up again, drove it a few miles with no change in the noise at all. Does this engine have solid, adjustable rockers, hydraulic lifters, shims and buckets, ?????? I'm kinda like to know what to look for before I pull the valve cover and have a look. TIA * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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11-18-2005, 04:01 PM	#3
krexken Scooby Newbie Member#: 100901 Join Date: Nov 2005	Thanks for the info, sixpack. I added some Seafoam to the mix of Marvel Mystery oil and engine oil and drove it around about 10 minutes and the noise went away completely! Drained that concoction and put some fresh dino juice in it and hopefully she's ready to roll for another 100k or so.

11-18-2005, 08:16 PM	#4
z Scooby Specialist Member#: 41762 Join Date: Aug 2003 Chapter/Region: International Location: House of Pancakes Vehicle: 04 STi CT-DE-FL rinse+repeat	Wow. What the hell is in that SeaFoam stuff, anyway? I assume it's not detrimental to our engines if people are recommending it?

11-21-2005, 07:35 AM	#6
krexken Scooby Newbie Member#: 100901 Join Date: Nov 2005	I've used Wal Mart's Super Tech 20-50 oil in it since I bought the car 40k ago. I've been hesitant to post the brand since I'm not really sure if it would've made a difference or not. Typically I'm not swayed much by the usual oil company scare tactics although I did switch to Super Tech's full synthetic 10-30 for this last refill. At $12 for a five quart jug, it eases my conscience a tad.