collapsed lifter

I have seen this on here before but just to clarify.

You need to
remove intake manifold and valve covers.
Replace bad lifters.
Use a special priming tool to pump them back up.
Flush the engine out.

Any advice beyond or contrary to this. Thanks
It is a 95 4.3

Welcome to AF kusterd :cheers:.

That's about it, although your about to discover that it's harder than it sounds.

Most people that I know just soak the lifters in new oil instead of priming them with a special tool

It's when you do a complete rebuild that you have to run the oil pump to prime everything.
Plus it's a good idea to fill the oil filter when doing an oil change. If you can do this without dumping all the oil over the floor when installing it.

Have you tried some ATF in your motor, add 1.2 quart at the end in place of that extra 1.2 quart you need to put in and it should help for a bit, its thinner then oil and might fix that lifter.

NO DO NOT DO THAT get a gunk flush and see if it helps but no atf

ATF works for me, Has worked in high performance engines i have had as well as the daily drivers.


I was informed that the additives you put in your engine to clean any of it will do almost nothing for you.
The detergents in ATF are the strongest you can buy and SAFELY put into the engine without harm to seals or sensors and gaskets.

ATF can't harm anything. It's one of the best cleaning oils and most slippery. So you'll end up with a clean motor that will probably use a little more oil while you have ATF oil in there and last a little longer.

ATF can't harm anything. It's one of the best cleaning oils and most slippery. So you'll end up with a clean motor that will probably use a little more oil while you have ATF oil in there and last a little longer.
Slippery, eh? :naughty:

Maybe i should put some by the "T" intersection we have that these kids like to drift thru. That'll make em think twice.



I havnt tried all the ATf but i use dexron/mercon for the engine.

I've seen people use ATF and it has worked, but I personally would'nt. Go to a GM dealer and get some crankcase cleaner and flush the engine. After that use the GM oil supplement with the oil change(get some good oil too), and that will work, if the lifter isn't mechanically damaged.

I've seen people use ATF and it has worked, but I personally would'nt. Go to a GM dealer and get some crankcase cleaner and flush the engine. After that use the GM oil supplement with the oil change(get some good oil too), and that will work, if the lifter isn't mechanically damaged.
I found this and now it kind of puts things into place when i used to work at a lexus dealership.


Tranny fluid is actually the best way to go, not ALOT but 1/2 quart substitued at an oil change, maybe use a full quart in 6 months on an engine.

"Engine flushes pump heated solvent through your engine, supposedly to wash away sludge. But regular oil changes with detergent oil already take care of the sludge problem. And if you actually have an engine that is full of sludge the last thing you want to do is do an engine flush because the sludge can clog the oil passages and destroy the engine completely. These flushes are completely unnecessary. All they do is wash the money out of your wallet. As Click and Clack state: "This is what's known in the business as a "profit center." Something the garage can use to beef up the amount each person spends per visit. So unless you've got a very old car, and are trying to solve a specific, sludge- or carbon-related-problem, I'd skip the R-2000." These engine flushes usually sell for about $130. The victims are people that think that they are doing something nice for their vehicle by cleaning the engine. In fact a dealer or repair shop that tries to sell you an engine flush should be avoided for all service because they are untrustworthy." oilexpert@hotmail.com

It runs fine for a couple of minutes then starts to tick. I assume it is a lifter because most other problems would be more consistent.

It runs fine for a couple of minutes then starts to tick. I assume it is a lifter because most other problems would be more consistent.
See my thread on Loud Lifter Knock. http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=361285

My lifter knock was so loud there was no mistaking it. but mine was the opposite, it would knock for a few minutes, then quiet down. It doesn't sound to me like your problem is a lifter.

I used the Gunk brand 5 minute flush and it solved my problem. Since then, I switched to Full Synthetic oil, and haven't had anymore problems.

Check for an exhaust manifold leak. They often sound like a lifter.

Usually the sound is either always there or goes away when it warms up though, so don't hold your breath