Lifter Problem?

[Fat Bastard]

I have a 95 3.2L rodeo. Recently I have had a very loud ticking noise on COLD startups...when I say cold I mean winter-like...10 below freezing. The ticking noise happens for 3 minutes or so...then simply disappears. I have been told that this may be the lifters ticking...then the oil gets warm and lubricates them up. Can anyone explain this..or had a similar problem that they fixed/know what the problem is. The truck seems to run fine once it is warm, or is above the freezing mark on startup (minimal noise/short). I have read about cleaners and stuff, but really don't know what this may be. Some people have said that is is from possible poor maintenance, but I am constantly having my maintenance done on the truck...so I don't believe that poor maintenance would lead to this. Truck does have 190Kms on it, but runs very good. Thanks.

[rodeo02]

Here you go: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/TSBScans/sb614929.pdf
This is a common issue with these engines. You have to keep good clean oil in them & not stretch an oil change interval. Oil system cleaners like seafoam, marvels mystery oil, lube control, auto-rx, etc.. will clean the lifter ports, regular 3000mi oil changes with an API "SL" rated 5w-30 or 10w-30 will keep them clean. G/luck
Joel

[Fat Bastard]

Thanks for the info. Real bummer though as I have always been on top of my oil changes / maintenance. I will try some of that cleaner you mentioned, that may help as it really only does the ticking when it is COLD.

[SNW96]

I have a 93 rodeo with a 3.2 v6 with 132k mi. I had loud valve noise coming from the right (passenger) head near the back. After talking to a few people and doing a little research on the net, I came to the conclusion that the small hole in one of the hydraulic, automatic valve lash adjuster was probably plugged. The noise was very loud at an idle and stayed on until about 2500 rpm, then it just went away. I surmise that enough oil was getting splattered over the obnoxious lifter. I was told to put an oil detergent in the oil and I did that. It didn’t help right away. I then read on the internet (thanks!) to put a quart of tranny fluid in. I put the quart of tranny fluid in and to be fair I also put a bottle of Prestone fuel injector and intake valve cleaner in the gas tank. Now I had two bottles of oil detergent engine cleaner and one quart of tranny fluid. (of course I drained a little oil). I ran it for 30 miles then I changed the oil. I put Quaker State 5w-30 for high mileage vehicles in and the sound is completely gone. While I don’t know what exactly fixed it, it runs better, and has better oil pressure than when I bought it 25k mi ago. Hope this helps someone. I would highly recommend an oil for higher mileage vehicles if that is what you have.

[silky4u]

i also had the same prob with my 93 v6 rodeo, i used the tranny fluid trick and it worked great, the only prob i had was that i was told to only run the engine for about 20 to 30 minutes ONLY ON IDLE with tranny fluid in the oil. This is because tranny fluid has a high concentration of detergents (thats why if you open up a maintained tranny it looks brand new). Anyway did you have any probs running your engine for that wrong with the tranny fluid? Thanks.

[danforth45]

you guys that used the tranny fluid trick, did that take away the noise completely? I have tried two doses of motor flush and 2 oil changes of 5w30 mobil1 with no results. If it really works i will try it.

[smackin]

Originally Posted by danforth45

you guys that used the tranny fluid trick, did that take away the noise completely? I have tried two doses of motor flush and 2 oil changes of 5w30 mobil1 with no results. If it really works i will try it.

Hi, I had a noisy hydraulic lifter problem. and it was embarrassing. the 96 rodeo still looks awesome...but was ticking loudly...at times. seemed to be weird....sometimes when hot, and almost always at startup.

but I read on a forum...not this one...to drain your oil....change the oil filter...and replace the oil with tranny fluid...and it would clean the inside of the engine. So I did. 100% tranny fluid. 5 qts.

well, it's been 140 miles since I did this. the loud ticking had disappeared rather immediatley, and now occaisiaonlly has some light ticking. no longer embarrassing and sounds as good as it looks. seems like all forums I have seen the magical number of 400 miles where you should remove the tranny fluid. not sure why. I would think temperature would be more of a rule but ....whatever.

I'm gonna leave it in for maybe another 100 miles or so. I have monitored the engine temp gauge alot, and the oil pressure gauge. Temp is fine, and the oil pressure has showed a great improvement. While the gauge is not digital, I remember the pressure was much lower...about 25psi to 35psi...and now at idle is 45 to 50psi, and near 70 on the highway.

Like other reports I've read, the noise was always worst on the passenger side, rear of the engine near the firewall.

so far, so good. and this is working sooo much better than Isuzus recommended alternating zero weight oil to 10w30 and back and forth....I've done that for over a year. nothing changed. they would fix/replace the lifters for about $4grand. Oh, ok.....

good luck, hope this helps.

[greenrodeo]

I just finished fixing a valve tick in my 94 3.2. I had no luck with motor flushes and am scared of tranny fluid.I was doing a timing belt/water pump change anyway so i decided to find the tick while i was at it. I also had leaky valve covers. I pulled the valve covers and found one exhaust valve lifter that had a small amount of play. The exhaust lifters are easy to change as you can remove them without removing the camshaft. I got one from my Isusu dealer for $53, put it in, and my rodeo is running quieter than ever. Also has more oil pressure than before.

[eggman00]

what kind of tranny fluid did you use or does it matter?

[smackin]

Originally Posted by eggman00

what kind of tranny fluid did you use or does it matter?

Hi,

I used the cheapest tranny fluid they'd sell me. Think it was Dextron III ATF. Probably should've looked into that a bit more but seems to have worked oK.

I drained the tranny fluid afte only 170 miles, and refilled with Valvoline synthetic, 10w-30. As I mentioned above, my oil pressure now flucuates as it should with higher rpms and is generally much higher than it has been in years. the best part, is the ticking is minimalized when it is there, but mostly it is gone.

I would also certainly use a free flow filter made for you vehicle. I've been using fram's filter with the valve in it which was supposed to keep oil atop the engine at initial startups....not doing that any more either.

good luck. Tranny fluid worked for me, and it was painless. worried, and wary, sure, but worked just fine. seems to have more pep too...and the seats feel softer.