New ticking/tapping from top of motor

[lamboguy]

Hi All,

Over 300k on my 84 mkII p, still running strong.

but just developed a rather noticeable "tap" or "tick" at motor speed, sounds like from the top of the motor. Sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not. Seems to not be there when I start up, but then when I arrive at my destination, I can hear it.

Could this be a stuck lifter? If so, would it be possible for me to take the top stuff off to get to the lifters and clean them out? Would that help? Anybody done that?

Thanks!

Fred

[83CelWA]

It sounds like a lifter problem. Before you go tearing into the car, it may be a good idea to try some Marvel Mystery Oil. If it is a stuck lifter that stuff works great in freeing them up. I had quite a few problems with lifters before I started using a quart of the stuff when I change the oil.

It is possible to just take off the intake, breather hoses, and the valve covers and press down on the valve with something (I use a 1/2 long extension and a piece of wood) and pull the rocker arm out. Then you can pull the lifter out. Make sure that you keep the rocker arms where they were before when you put it back together and be carefull when pulling the lifters out, if they are stuck just count your loss because they are good about coming apart when you pull them out of the head if they have been in there for a while.

[frobozz]

An out of left field other thing to check: make sure you don't have any loose spark plugs. You can generally see them wiggling when it's idling, or with the car off, grab the top of each plug and see if it wiggles. It's amazing how much this can sound like an internal tapping when it happens.

Duncan

[lamboguy]

Thanks folks, excellent info. I'll try all this next week.

I do have the factory manual so maybe I'll do a "mental teardown" and see if it's worth it.

Cheers,

Fred