Clacking Valves

[muzikmann]

Ok, my valves are clacking. What causes this and how can it be fixed? And is it hard/expensive; can I do it myself in a day. This is my daily driver. Lifter springs ring a bell for some reason. I dunno, it's 3:30am and I'm just now getting around to this. Thanks in advance.

[eRic 02sc2]

uh...did you check the oil level? are you 2 quarts low?

[EzDi]

oil: hydraulic lifters need oil to lift
Make sure your oil pressure is good (idiot light = off is a good first check). If the oil is too high viscosity, you could have proper pressure at the sensor but not at the head though (would take a lot ususally).

wear: lots of things in the head can make noises if they are bent/mangled.
Do a compression check to make sure your valves are sealing good. If you had a dead spring I would think a valve would stay open and been crunched.

Price/difficulty is highly dependant on what's wrong. If you're low on oil, add some, it'll be $3 and take 2 minutes, if your valves are mangled it'll take the better part of a full weekend and machine shop work + gaskets, valves.

EzDi

[ssicarman]

If I recall you just had the t-chain done? If so then it could be that the cam had been rotated while this was done. If so then the oil would have been forced out of the lifters. If this has happened thet lifters will be noisey for a while but the noise should go away. If it is not going away then there is some other problem.

[SLeepr]

A little MMO in the crankcase can sometimes quiet things down a bit.

[civic-killer]

This exact thing has happened to me. its just sticky valves. a commen problem in mostly high mileage cars. Just go to autozone in by some mystery oil(its in a red bottle) pour it in your valve cover just like oil and start your car. The noise should go away in seconds.

[muzikmann]

Hey everyone,
Thanks for all the replies, and sorry it took so long to get back. Ok, I checked my oil. It's just fine; right where it ought to be. I've noticed it happens mostly when I first start the car (goes away in a few seconds) and when I'm going uphill, or asking for power in general. Being in Colorado Springs at 6500 feet, the air is pretty thin and the engine has to work harder. But at steady speeds and at idle once it's run for a little bit, it's not noticable from inside the car. I haven't noticed any lack of power from the engine.

I'll try the mystery oil in the red bottle. I think it's just the fact that she's going on 11 years old and has 157,000 miles on her. Once I can afford it/have the time, I'll have it looked at. I'd do it myself, but I don't really have any experience with the guts of the engine (cams, valves, etc). Once again, Thanks everyone.

[muzikmann]

Oh, and the timing chain wasn't me. ssicarman and oil perssure seems fine (no idiot light).

[ssicarman]

Originally posted by muzikmann
Oh, and the timing chain wasn't me. ssicarman and oil perssure seems fine (no idiot light).

Well sounds like I am loosing what is left of my mind.

You may have a couple of concerns. The lifter noise at start up may just be that lifter noise. Higher milage engine, maybe the lifters are bleeding down abit as the car sits. If the noise goes away quickly then you should be ok. Oil treatments or an engine oil flush on the next oil change may help. The noise on loud and acceleration may be engine ping or detonation. Try a tank or two of higher octane gas to see if that noise changes.

[muzikmann]

I shall try the higher octane gas too. Unfortunately, "high octane" gas is what most states have as "mid grade". And it's more expensive. I think the highest I can get is 91 octane. Low grade is 85. Sucks huh?