04 Rondezvous lifter problem.

Rookie#1 · 03-05-2019, 05:22 PM

I've developed a lifter problem. Sound like it might be around cylinder #5 on a 3.4L. In the morning the lifter is collapsed. After 10 to 15 sec motor running the clicking is very faint.
Other than the lifter noise in the morning the car runs great. How hard is it to replace lifters
on an o4 rendezvous 3.4l CX?

brcidd · 03-06-2019, 04:24 AM

Try some Resilone (sp) oil additive- I've used it many times to quiet or unstick lifters- get it at most any parts stores- Napa for sure. Yellow bottle or can..

Blue Bowtie · 03-06-2019, 07:41 AM

That may help. Most frequently, lifter failures not caused by wear are due to sludge and contamination in the oil. Cleaners such as this can help loosen the sludge and varnish, but then that oil needs to be drained to remove that loosened sludge.

One of the worst things ever introduced in vehicles was the "Change Oil" indicator. By the time the PCM calculates the oil is dirty and ready for a change, it's too late.

Rookie#1 · 03-06-2019, 02:07 PM

Thanks for the reply Brcidd and blue tie. I've heard of the rislone fix and all so Miracle oil.
I tried the miracle oil. Not a bit of change. I run Mobile 1 synthetic hi milage oil. Wouldn't
think it would be sludge. If you have had the same problem and you still think Rislone will do the trick I'll give it a try. Nothing to lose I guess. Sounds better than a tear down.

Blue Bowtie · 03-06-2019, 06:30 PM

I run Mobil1 in everything I have, including the air-cooled engines. My daughter recently reported that her Envoy was flashing a "low oil pressure" warning and the gauge was jumping from 0 to 40. I got it in the shop and discovered it was 8,000 miles overdue (12,000 miles total) for oil changed. It was sludged enough that I had to poke the drain hole with an awl after removing the drain plug to get it to drain with more than just a trickle.

Synthetic will sludge, too.

Tech II · 03-06-2019, 09:42 PM

Could also be piston slap....

Rookie#1 · 03-09-2019, 12:38 PM

Blue bowtie. Your reply about Mobile 1 sortof confused me. I've never experience pproblems with it. Oil change every 6K w/ filter. I normally don't believe in oil addatives BUT I took your advice. I picked up a quart of Resilone. Will drain a quart and add Reislone next Monday.

Tech II. I'm not ready to go there yet.

maxwedge · 03-09-2019, 04:53 PM

Not uncommon on these engines to pull rocker studs, if it gets worse, pull the valve cover and check it out.

Blue Bowtie · 03-10-2019, 09:54 AM

Along with the V-6 stud/rocker problems:

Tech II · 03-10-2019, 03:33 PM

But if it was a rocker stud, the noise would not go away in 10-15 seconds...

Blue Bowtie · 03-10-2019, 04:22 PM

Actually, the one in the photo had no lifter/rocker noise at all, just two dead cylinders.

maxwedge · 03-10-2019, 05:01 PM

Agreed on the noise issue, just fixed an engine with pulled threads using a TimeCert kit, got lucky it was the front bank. This engine only had a slight noise, but had a misfire. Top of that valve stem looks bad.

Rookie#1 · 03-30-2019, 12:50 PM

Finally made it back. Tried miracle oil first. Didn't work. Tried the rislone. Didn't work. Same problem. Noisy lifter first thing in the morning and clears up after 15 to 20 seconds. Been the same since first of the year. Two choices. Ignore it or pull the valve cover. Looks like the dog bone motor mount to include it's mounting bracket has to be removed plus a coolant pipe that runs across in front of the valve cover has to be removed. Not a big process but time consuming. By the way I'm reasonable positive the clatter is around #6 cylinder. Has to wait until I get the rest of my spring projects caught up. Again thanks for all the inputs.

Rookie#1 · 03-30-2019, 12:54 PM

By the way, no misfire and motor runs smooth throughout.

madnad · 09-10-2020, 11:12 AM

Rookie#1: Were you able to fix the problem? If so, how?
Cannot find guides on what to look for under the valve cover in case of lifter or rocker problem.

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