Ticking noise

[pdolan]

I have a 95LWB with 177K on the clock. For the last couple of months I get a ticking sound coming from the engine after the truck warms up. We checked the rocker arms, the oil looks fine and my mechanic thinks that there is a problem with the lifters. I tried a sea foam flush, which didn't work, added some marvel mystery oil and again had no luck. My mehanic, who is teriffic, suggests just dealing with the problem or swapping the engine out. I would like to try and find some way to fix it. Any thoughts?

Thanks very much.

[Bwana]

Dump the Marvel Mystery oil. It's junk. Change oil and substitute 1 quart for 1 quart of Lucas oil additive. I have a 1988 with ???,000,000 miles, and have used Lucas for the past 7 years. It runs better now than the day I bought it. The harder I run it, the more it likes it.

[pdolan]

Thanks. I forgot to mention that I had tried the Lucas, with no luck.

Thanks for the reply.

[pie4foou]

I would say keep driving it till it dies, then go turbo diesel! hehe wish i could be of more help.

[Eric D]

How did you examine your rockers?

These rockers are aluminum with a steel cup. Over time the cup will get forced into the rocker or fall out. Both have happened to my Rover. I purchased complete new rocker assemblies about 5 years ago for roughly $80 ea. Was quite a deal for genuine rockers, and since then the price has jumped over $300 ea.

Anyways, you can buy single rockers to replace the worn out ones, but I prefer to err on the side of caution. If the vehicle is a keeper, replace the whole rocker assembly.

I should mention that I also chose to replace all the push rods and all the lifters too.
The push rods were Rover brand and the lifters were a US mfg.

Best of luck!

[hermanpj]

problem is the lifters. i have same sound on my 4.6. Ironically my 1991 has 200,000 miles on it and has never made this sound. anyway, i did a bit of research, this sound is probably coming from one maybe two lifters. it makes your truck sound sligtly like a diesel, right? i do not believe though that its causing any immediate harm - at least that was what i was told. others may correct me. i have been advised to try a slighly lower viscosity oil on my next oil change and not to muck with it until some other issue necessitates engine work.

[p76rangie]

It depends whether you want the motor to run properly or just survive. Rover motors have a reputation for chewing through cams and lifters. Worn cam and lifters will not give you the correct valve opening or timing. Therefore your motor will not produce correct power or performance. If you are happy with this, then leave it. If you want it to run properly and get rid of your "ticking", replace the cam and lifters. About $200 for a cam, $160 for lifters, then you will need a new valley cover gasket, timing cover gasket, and maybe sump gasket.