So, about a week ago I noticed a ticking sound coming from my engine bay. As I got on the gas I would notice it and while I was at a idel. I know this is a lifter tick and not an exhaust leak. Just curious if I can drive the car a little bit before I get it fixed? Will it do any damage to anything else??? Also, what do I have to do to fix it? It's on the passenger side too. Do I have to put new lfters on or what? Any help would be great. Thanks.

 

Anyone??

 

I would first take the valve covers off and check for loose rocker arms to see if thats it. I think the worse that can happen is that the roller locks up and marks up the cam lobe. Also, a ticking lifter would most likely be detected by the knock sensor in the block and the pcm would pull out lots of timing hurting your performance.

Jeff D.

 

Anyone else??

 

Must be a thing for 96's. Mine also has that tick tick tick. Only it's on the drivers side. I put about 1500 miles on with it like this. It's had its share of whoopings too. The time in my sig is with this lifter tap. I plan on upgrading my cam & lifters some day so I'm not really too concerned about it. I don't drive it everyday either.

 

There are several problems that could cause such a noise that I can think of:

Loose rocker arm needing adjustment
Bad lifter
Broken valve spring (easy to check)
Cam lobe wiped
Missmatched valve train components (unlikely in your case)
Bent push rod

From my experience, such noises tend to get worse. You can probably drive it, but just take it easy on the RPMs However, If you have a broken spring and drive it far you could suck a valve and ruin the head, piston or both.

 

So is my best bet to take the valve cover off and check things out? What should I look for to find the discribed problems you listed. Thanks.