Loud lifter tick!!
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Joined: Sep 2002
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Loud lifter tick!!
HI guys, I have a 1990 Ford Bronco. It has the 351W engine. The engine was rebuilt 15,000 miles ago. About 6 months ago the engine developed a lifter tick. It started out quiet, as of today, you can hear it with the hood closed standing next to the truck. My question is, is it ok to leave this problem alone, or will it end up getting worse. I'm seriously thinking about selling this darn thing and getting a NEW superduty. 
I appreciate all of the help!!
I appreciate all of the help!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Loud lifter tick!!
It'll get worse. What brand of oil are you using? Castrol, Havoline, MotorCraft, & Valvoline are among the good ones; QS & Pennzoil are among the bad ones. You can try to clean it by running ~1qt of Marvel Mystery Oil (MMO) in place of a quart of motor oil for the next few changes - it can probably clean out a lot of the problem, but it takes a little time.
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Loud lifter tick!!
Hi, I live in Arizona. Today it got to 115*
!!!
Can you please explain what actually causes a lifter to tick? I never had this kind of problem before in any of my trucks. If this problem ends up costing me any money, I will sell the thing and get a new truck and be done with it!!!! I really do appreciate all the help.
!!!Can you please explain what actually causes a lifter to tick? I never had this kind of problem before in any of my trucks. If this problem ends up costing me any money, I will sell the thing and get a new truck and be done with it!!!! I really do appreciate all the help.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Loud lifter tick!!
I ticks from lack of oil pressure holding it at the correct adjustment. It'd take too long for my to type all the hydraulics & mechanics behind why - try a Google search. I'm sure it's been written 1,000 times.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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Loud lifter tick!!
If it's that loud.
The rocker could have come loose from the stud. Or the lifter itself could be bad, or it could have some crud in it. Or, it could be an exhaust manifold leak instead of a lifter (that would be nice), or (not so nice) a cam lobe could be going south on you. I hope you followed proper cam break-in procedures if you got a new cam when it was rebuilt. Heavier oil won't help.
The rocker could have come loose from the stud. Or the lifter itself could be bad, or it could have some crud in it. Or, it could be an exhaust manifold leak instead of a lifter (that would be nice), or (not so nice) a cam lobe could be going south on you. I hope you followed proper cam break-in procedures if you got a new cam when it was rebuilt. Heavier oil won't help.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 38
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From: Austin, TX
Loud lifter tick!!
1990 was fuel injected right? Well my injectors make ticking sounds, and if their dirty they will tick even louder because the pintle has to move even further to let the same amount of fuel through the nozzle. Mine are only a little dirty and you can hear them from outside the car with the hood closed sometimes. Just an idea before you go tearing into your engine.