Hi guys,

It's funny, I just get to thinking about you guys, get back on here, and then my truck decides it's time to give me a query for you.

Over the last couple of days, my engine has developed a tick. It's inconsistent, sounds like a lifter to me, because it sounds like it's right on the top of the engine, but I'm not entirely sure. It's like... tick-tick-tick-quiet-tick-tick-quiet-tick-tick-tick-tick. It is most noticeable when the engine is hot. It also seems to go away when the RPMs go up.

Maybe a failing oil pump? Or maybe I do have a spring or something on the top of the engine going bad on me?

Some history:

This is a replacement motor with 50k on it. Has been quiet. However, we installed this motor over the winter of 07-08, and the truck got it's oil changed around march of 08. It's only had about 1000 miles on it since then, it sat around a lot of this time. Got a crack in my radiator a couple of months ago after I started driving it again, and replaced the radiator a couple of weeks ago.

Heard the ticking a couple of days ago, and thinking that it may be because my old oil (from march of 2008) was breaking down, I took it to good ol' Jiffy Lube and had them change it and put in 10/30. Still ticks. Went and got a fresh tank of 91 octane. Still ticks.

That's where I'm at.

I'd probably be spending more time digging into the problem and figuring it out myself but I don't think I'll have any time until this weekend, and I thought I'd see if I can get some of your opinions until then.

It's just doing it so I would see your post.

Hi Heather!!!
 

Hi Bob!

 

Yes, she still has your knob.

And I still have her bikini.

Yes, she still has your knob.

Does that mean this is Nate?   

No, I can call my truck a "she"... can't I?  

EDIT: Wait, I can see where this is going...   

EDIT: Wait, I can see where this is going...   

What?  With lil' ole innocent me???   

Going?  I think it's already there...

Sounds like your lifters need to be adjusted.  I know when I installed the JDM engine in mine the lifters were all out of wack.

Ya, it's there 

Hi Bob, I still have your 5mm hex wrench    PM me with your address

And Heather, sounds like a typical lifter tick, give her an adjustment 

I was there when the Knob and Bikini swap took place    LOL it's not as
dirty as you think 

Wild

Thanks, I was thinking the same... I was unsure though, because I thought I'd hear the noise from lifters continue as the RPMs went up, or the noise would go away when the engine warmed up. Seems to make more noise when it's warm then when it's cold.

But if it IS lifters, and it's doing this inconsistent ticking noise, well, maybe I just caught it early. Hopefully.

We were thinking about draining the oil and putting in 3.5 quarts of 10/30 and 1 quart of Marvel, to see if the noise went away... wasn't sure if that'd help or not.

In the end, though I'd probably just be delaying the real issue, if the lifters need adjusting anyway.

I was there when the Knob and Bikini swap took place    LOL it's not as
dirty as you think 

Hah!  Was that clear back in 2005?
It HAD to be, because I went to CruiseMoab in 2006 and 2007.

The Marvel oil will clean the inside, but the noise will be the same, they aren't
hydraulic lifters so the cleaning won't help the noise, it could be piston slap, it
sort of sounds like a Diesel when it's running, but your noise is not consistent
but when you hear it is it a light tick or a knock like a diesel ?

Wild

I think what I'll do is try to get a vid of the sound and post a link here.

It's like... well, kinda like the noise the blinker relay makes. Only not as loud. 

It's definitely inconsistent. "tickticktickpausetickticktickticktickpausetickpausetickticktickticktickpause" 

Could be an idle air control

Well, here's a video standing back and taking in all of my wonderful engine noises... plus the louder *tick* (which apparently is getting less intermittent, but you can still hear it).

tickvidstandingback.AVI

I've got a video with the camera a bit closer uploading now.