Lifters/tappets

[timbo]

Hi, anyone know how to persuade one of my hydraulic lifters to stop taping? started about a couple of weeks ago, Its at its loudest when warm, its not a clatter just sounds as though the clearance is too big. I have heard that they can sometimes clear themselves. Its not affecting the performance of the car at all. Oil changed about 6 months ago. Car has done 70K., thanks.

[logray]

I think hard driving and fresh oil are about your only chances, short of removing the camshaft covers and replacing the lifters.

[timbo]

Update... I've just come back from my local Porsche specialist and he doesn't think its a lifter. He's not sure what it is, one suggestion was a noisy injector which seems feasible as the noise does not get louder with engine revs, what do people think? Would it throw a cel if I disconnected an injector while it was running? Has anyone any other ideas, the noise seems to be in time with the firing of a cylinder.

[logray]

If they think it is one of the cylinders, using Durametric you can disable ignition for a certain cylinder one by one.

If the noise goes away on a certain cylinder then you can start narrowing it down.

I would try the simple stuff first:

Pull the plug and look at it's condition

Ensure plugs are torqued correctly.

Check coil packs for cracks

Swap plugs/new plugs, swap coil packs.

If still have a noise...

Compression test

Leak down test

Certainly you could pull the injector (engine off) and have it cleaned or swap it with another bank to see if the noise follows. Don't pull the injector though with the engine on otherwise you'll have a big fuel mess on your hands.

[timbo]

Thanks Longray, would it be ok to take the electrical connection off the injector while running, would have thought no fuel issues then! I don't have a Durametric.

[logray]

Hmmm.... that would throw a CEL, plus it wouldn't disable spark at the same time (perhaps until the ECU figures out that injector is offline).

So not sure about that, I would get a second opinion about doing that.

[timbo]

Can the tappet/lifters be replaced with the engine in? or is it an engine out job.

[txhokie4life]

Yes, you can remove the tappets with the engine still in the car. Not trivial, but doable.

You say it doesn't change with RPM?

I would think if your tappets are ticking then they would increase in frequency,

I think I have one or more noisy tappets as well. Mine changes with rpms.

When my oil is fresh -- it usually goes away. I also tried Seafoam once and

it also quieted down the noise.

This is my daily driver and it has been doing it off and on for 20,000 miles.

I just have not been motivated enough to pull the valve covers off and search

for the noisy lifter.

M

[logray]

I wouldn't replace lifters with engine in car myself. Hands wouldn't fit... too many chances for mistakes. If someone has done that before and is experienced at doing that then yes certainly as txhokie points out it is possible.

I would get a second opinion from a local mechanic before diving in... I would feel silly if you replaced the lifters and the noise is still there.

[timbo]

Yes, you can remove the tappets with the engine still in the car. Not trivial, but doable.

You say it doesn't change with RPM?

I would think if your tappets are ticking then they would increase in frequency,

I think I have one or more noisy tappets as well. Mine changes with rpms.

When my oil is fresh -- it usually goes away. I also tried Seafoam once and

it also quieted down the noise.

This is my daily driver and it has been doing it off and on for 20,000 miles.

I just have not been motivated enough to pull the valve covers off and search

for the noisy lifter.

M

No...mine increase in frequency and volume to a lesser extent with RPM too, quieter when cold.

[timbo]

Does any one have any opinions on additives which are on the market to solve the noisy lifter problem?

[logray]

Yes, don't use them.

Also, it is really tough to diagnose your noise without being able to hear it, if you make a you tube of it perhaps that could help diagnose.

As txhokie points out your noise might not be lifter related because it does not increase in frequency with RPM.

[timbo]

It Does increase with RPM

[timbo]

Update......having just removed a coil pack to investigate a misfire I discovered that they are all cracked, but the good news is that I also discovered that one of the plugs was loose....I now have a non ticking Boxster which I am obviously over the moon about. My only worry is that I have done a few hundred miles in the belief it was a noisy lifter is there any chance it could have damaged the threads?

[logray]

If the plug threads and torques correctly and you don't have the tick anymore I would say the head is OK, no need to have it re-threaded.

[4agdtym]

Glad you have gotten this fixed. Interesting outcome. Isn't it wonderful to have this resource!

For those who think it may be lifters, and in spite of recommendation against additives ... I have used Marvel Mystery Oil for the 500 or so miles before the last two oil changes. It has quieted the lifters and, I believe, cleaned the engine a bit so that more dirt comes out with the oil. I do change oil every 5000 instead of the recommended 15000 miles. Happy New Year!

[jamesmcd03]

Getting tapping noise (increases with RPM) after changing my oil and filter on my 2003 Boxster base model. Noise is consistent warm and cold.

 

What are the best solutions to try?

Can I still use as daily drive or get into shop ASAP?

 

Thanks!

[JFP in PA]

Welcome to RennTech 

 

What kind and weight oil did you use?

 

I would not be driving the car until you fix the problem, as it could make it much worse.

[jamesmcd03]

Ow40 mobil 1.

 

[jamesmcd03]

Ow40 mobil 1.

Video of noise. 

https://goo.gl/photos/tpu8scJzYcf1vPj6A

 

The place that did the oil change with kendall synthetic 5w40 European. Then I took it back and said it is knocking so they put in Mobil 1 0w 40 with a new filter from Porsche. 

Still tapping. 52k miles, no history of abuse. Oil levels are fine and they put in 8.8 quarts

 

 

[JFP in PA]

This needs proper diagnostic's, such as checking the actual oil pressure and trying to isolate the sound source in the engine bay.