mpringle

I have taken my car to a couple mechanics because of a ticking noise coming from the rear cylinder of my engine. Both mechanics say the ticking is coming from a valve lifter. Both mechanics said it probably isn’t a big deal – especially if the sound doesn’t get worse. They also said fixing the problem is not hard but time consuming – thus expensive. One mechanic told me to try Mobile 1 synthetic oil to see if that frees a sticking lifter (or something like that). I’ve tried SeaFoam and that didn’t help free up anything. I’ve tried a heavier weight oil – 10w/30 and that did nothing for the sound. The ticking is not very loud but it is annoying once you know it’s there...and I’m kind of OCD. However, you can only hear it if the windows are down and you are next to a wall or another vehicle, or, you are outside the car.

My main question is this: is the ticking really NOT A BIG DEAL. The car drives great. It gets about 20 mpg in the city (more than the stated 19 mpg), which is great for an ES300 with 210,000 miles on it. Aside from the ticking, the car is in great condition. If it’s REALLY not a big deal, then I guess I can live with the sound until I choose to get it fixed. Besides, I’ve heard of people getting valve lifters “fixed”, and the ticking is lessened but still there a little. Any thoughts?

jhill20

iTrader: (1)

I was going to suggest using Slick 50's engine oil flush product but as I research your sea foam, looks like they about the same thing. I have quieted quite a few noisy lifters with an oil flush using the slick 50 product...

I would agree with your other two mechanics opinions, especially considering miles on the car. How much money are you really ready to spend/dump into a higher mileage engine?

Although if the timing belt is up for changing...then it wouldn't be all that much more labor to address the lifters.

hope this helps...

JSM1284

Probably just needs a valve adjustment.

llcoolpass

related to jsm's line of thinking, there could be carbon build up on the valves and lands