94 rodeo with ticking

I have a 1994 Isuzu Rodeo with an ticking problem. From reading theses forums i have concluded that it is probably one of three problems
1. Low oil pressure
2. Sticky lifter
3. Timing belt tensioner

I just need help figuring out which one. I have 143k miles on it. The ticking used to come and go but now it seems it is here permanantly. The noise is coming from the left to left rear side of the engine. My oil pressure does seem to bottom out when the engine warms up but this appears to have no effect on the ticking either way as the ticking is heard when the pressue is normal. I have used some engine additives to try to free a sticky lifter to no avail. Can anyone help me?

Welcome to Isuzu-land!

What oil, filter and viscosity are you currently using?

what do you mean for sure "bottoming out"? What is your idling PSI, cruising PSI?

My Rodeo Almost sounds like a exhaust leak, but whenever you start the rodeo 97 4 cyc. when you push on the gas you hear it. Not when idling and it goes away in a few minutes, then if I stop somewhere it starts all over again.

Welcome to Isuzu-land!

What oil, filter and viscosity are you currently using?

what do you mean for sure "bottoming out"? What is your idling PSI, cruising PSI?


penzoil 1030 with purelator filter. When hot my oil pressure ideling is close to zero...cruising is about 35-40. Is there an easy way to fix the oil pressure. As long as it doesnt involve taking the engine apart...i can do it.

What has been your consistent oil/filter change interval?

I've heard as low as 14psi while idling is ok - though, I too wouldn't be too happy with it.

Mine idles in the 35-40 psi range, and at cruising is 70-75psi.

I'm almost wandering if you may have some gunk clogging the pick-up oil screen.

When first starting the truck, where's your oil gage?

Also, does your truck use any oil?

What has been your consistent oil/filter change interval?

I've heard as low as 14psi while idling is ok - though, I too wouldn't be too happy with it.

Mine idles in the 35-40 psi range, and at cruising is 70-75psi.

I'm almost wandering if you may have some gunk clogging the pick-up oil screen.

When first starting the truck, where's your oil gage?

Also, does your truck use any oil?

at start up my psi is around 45-55 and within minutes it falls to around 15. My truck does use oil but maybe 1/2 quart between changes. I follow the 3 month 3000 miles rule almost religiously.

My Rodeo tells me when its time for an oil change. I change oil every 3000 miles and when it gets close to that time, I get a lifter ticking. Change the oil, and the tick goes away for another 3000 miles or so. :iceslolan

1/2 qt in 3k miles is not bad at all, in fact that's really good in my opinion.

With that in mind, the low oil usage and regular 3K oil changes, I don't rightly believe you have an actual "problem" - I would be tempted to try a different filter and see if that helps with your oil pressure, which can be causing the ticking as well.

These trucks are WEIRD to say the least, they run like a bat out of He$$ and they'll just keep on ticking - in more ways then one!

And what works for one 3.2L V6 may not work for the other, although the engine design of the 93-97 is virtually the same. For instance, there are people on here who swear by the Mobil 1 oil filter - man that made my truck TICK like something fierce.

So while the Puralotor may work for they neighbor, may not work for your rig. And it may not be providing enough stable oil pressure, for instance, I've read that the Puralotor PureONE filter can be very restrictive although the filtering capability is excellent.

I'm not going to say to upgrade to a thicker oil, as these trucks do call for 10w-30 as the prefered summer oil. But what I will say, is I believe these engines with the hydraulic lifters that like to clog, and do so easily, need an oil with a heavier detergent package then what a regular oil can give.

I too have always done every 3K oci's without fail, and ran Havoline dino 10w-30 for nearly 140K when mine came down with the "tick".

My assumption is, that although you may be doing very frequent oil changes, which is superb, the regular gasoline oil itself just isn't keeping the hydraulic lifters super clean.

Some, rather a lot, of 3.2L V6 owners from another board have switched to Mobil 1 synthetic with good results. Myself, I'm a bit leary of switching to a pure synthetic, it's just in my blood to run regular oil.

I did however switch to Havoline synthetic (legally labeled as a synthetic, but is actually just super-purified crude oil) for a 2K mile run, had no problems at all, ticking is almost non-existent.

Just last Monday I switched to Rotella synthetic (again not a TRUE synthetic, just a super-purified oil), but this oil is a gasoline/diesel rated oil with heavier detergents then what's found in regular gasoline oil. It's the 5w-40 that I can run year round.

I'm not fond at all with oil flushes, I did one round of Sea foam and all it seemed to do was make my lifters louder - however, others on this board have had excellent results in using it.

I will just take my chances in using a heavier detergent oil, hoping for it's own cleaning properties to do the trick - course it'll take a few changes I'm sure.

As a side note, if your timing belt tensioner is going out they've been known to give off the sound similar to a rod knock - don't know if you have a "tick" or a "knock", just thought I'd mention that.

Thanks man....you have been very helpful
Ill try you suggestions. Its nice to know that this might not be a major problem.

yeah but its just really annoying

It is annoying - but I have heard that's morely a nuisance then an actual mechanical "problem".

Trick is to find what works and stick with it, and remembering to change very frequently.

FWIW, I did try the Rotella 5w-40 with a puralator premium plus filter for 3 days - ticking returned fairly loud. Left the oil alone, but changed the filter back to the OEM Isuzu filter, ticking became very slight again.

For however long the "quiet" ticking lasts, I'll stick to the Rotella and Isuzu filters. It's giving me the softest sound, I can actually hear the "engine" again.

It turned out that my noise was due to the nuts being loose on manifold to engine. Tightened them and all noise is gone.

Now this is wierd. I added a half quart of oil and the ticking stopped. I drove around town all day running errands. The next day i start up and the ticking is back. I checked my oil level and it was the same as the day before. I let it tick for a day or two then add more oil. The ticking stopped for that day and now it is back. My oil level is now actually over-full. This is the strangest thing i have ever seen. Any ideas?