Valve train clatter

[integrator]

First of all I'm new and although haven't really driven my car much I'm already in love with it.

I'm getting valve clatter from the right head and I'm worried that there is a problem. Is this normal? I searched and I saw that this happens some times. If the problem persists what should I do to remedy this? This engine has to last me until after winter when I hope to have enough money saved to swap it out if need be. The car has very high mileage and I'll see how many I can rack up before it quits.

I have a 93 legacy turbo Canadian Model.

[Matt Monson]

There is a very good chance that it is the hydraulic lash adjusters. Servicing them will oftentimes make the noise go away. It requires removing them and submerging them in motor oil and bleeding them. Then you reinstall them. Or you could just replace with new units...

[integrator]

Would it be dangerous to find an additive to quiet the noise and just drive it? As I said the car has high mileage and I'd just like to do maintenance to get as much out of it as is.

In your opinion would servicing the valve lash adjusters be a big job to tackle? I'm fairly mechanically inclined (Mechanic Apprentice 1st year). I mainly work on american cars, but own all japenese.

[mikec]

I read somewhere (it may have been the RS Liberty Club) that if you get it onto the highway after the oil's warmed up, holding the RPM's above 3000 for a few minutes can help get the oil back into the adjusters.

[integrator]

Thanks, I'll try that. It's weird that it never did this before but the car sat for 10 days. I guess that could have caused the problem.

I'm not sure of what type of oil was used, should I try to find out if it was synthetic? I'm considering synthetic but the car has so many miles I think it may not be a good idea to switch now. I will try to get a hold of the dealer records in the next couple of days.

Thanks for the help guys.

[BAC5.2]

Mike - Is that really what you read?

Odd. My 95L had this problem (drivers side though), and I would drive at 85 and 90mph (over 3000 RPM) on a regular basis. That thing clacked for like 10k and then I sold it.

The noise would always go away when I changed the oil, and come back like 5 days later. Very odd.

[mikec]

I'll see if I can find the thread, and post it here. I've also heard that (about changing the oil to stop it)

Edit (I don't wanna post whore too much):

Here's the whole post: http://www.rslibertyclub.org/forums/vie ... light=3000

And here's the relevant post:

Dunno if you're all already doing this but as the service manual says...
"If clicking noise (from lifters) continues for more than a few minutes...warm up engine then drive car at approximatley 3000rpm for twenty minutes". NOTE - this does not seem to work if the revs drop below 3000 rpm for more than a few seconds during the 20 mins, so go for a drive on a freeway at 100kph and stay in third slot Exclamation
I get tappet noise every time I change my oil, but this proceedure has always resulted in silence on both of the RSs I have owned (if these engines can ever be called silent!!).

I haven't tried it myself, so FWIW....

[evolutionmovement]

Replacing/servicing the lifters is easy. Pop the valve covers off and remove the rockers directly underneath. 6 bolts for the rocker assembly, 3 for the valve covers. It can all be done with a 10 and 12 mm socket. Hell, maybe only a 10, I don't remember.

Steve

[integrator]

Thanks guys, I was a little worried it would be a big job. First I'll try the freeway thing. Are new adjusters expensive if I need new ones?