the horrid rodeo lifters tick!

[Chrissyp]

Hello All
I know everyone is tired of hearing about the noise and so am I!
I own a 1994 Honda passport 3.2L 145,000. It runs great except for this annoying tick coming from the engine. It stops above 1800-2000+ RPM. Ive read many threads about it being sticky lifters. So Ive tried seafoam marine and high mileage oil in my oil change last month and still hasn't stopped or lessened. I live in southern california so its not cold here(for those who had problems with the cold effecting the startup). Ive also heard about changing the timing belt tensioner. I haven't tried that yet but I heard that they were different sounds. Theres one where it goes away after 1800+ RPM and one that doesn't but they both sound similar. Or am I mistaken and its the same. I got confused because so many thread said so many things about the same noise! Mechanics checked it out but one wants to put in a motor and the other wants to do the rocker arm and basically redo the top. Before I attempt to do any of this costly stuff I want to test out your guys theories and solutions. Im about to try rislone but ive lost hope in additives! Thanks all for your imput!


I also read this on wikipedia: 3.2L V6 Engine noise: the oil pump would lose 25%-30% in its efficiency rather easily due to lack of maintenance. Cam lobes wearing cause a lifter tick known to Isuzu enthusiasts as the "GM Syndrome"

By the way, I bought it October of last year as the 3rd owner and before me it could have been neglected in maintenance.

[boritz]

You're right! - it does come up frequently - here's a new thread on the same topic - I posted a link in there to some videos which you can use to compare your tick http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?t=32816

[chaswe75]

Do an engine flush with a little tranny fluid. Use the seafoam in your crankcase and through your air intake. DO a couple treatments if necessary. Run Mobil 1 SYN or Rotella SYN and a high quality oil filter. Use the seafoam frequently to de-carbon. I tried many things to get rid of the tick, finally seafoam and synthetic oil did the trick. Listen to the tips from regulars who have owned several of these trucks. I have learned a lot about my Rodeo from this forum.

[Florsuzo]

Chemical additives won't fix mechanical issues.

There are likely three problems:

1. Timing belt tensioner.
2. One or more sticky lifters (they are located in each rocker arm and can easily get plugged up...even physically taking them out and soaking in solvent sometimes won't fix them if they are physically damaged).
3. Worn intake rocker arm. The rocker arm has intermediate rockers which engage the exhaust rockers and the rocker shaft under the intermediate rockers can wear down and allow too much clearance..which even makes fully extended lifters tick because the expansion of the lifter can't make up for the wear.

Timing belt tensioner is easiest to look at. Lifters require removal of intake manfiolds, valve covers, and cams to properly access them. If the rocker shafts are taken out the evidence becomes clear because the wear is very obvious. No matter what, you're looking at the timing belt having to come off.

If the noise goes away above 2000+ RPM chances are the tensioner is bad. It's more of a clacking sound than ticking.

[Danielcarrillo1]

I can tell you what worked for me. I live in Durango, Durango, Mexico and the daytime temperatures are about 85 degrees F. and the nights are currently dropping down to around 45 degrees. I had several auto mechanics work on my truck and none of them stopped the ticking lifters. I read a post that someone had on a forum and they recommended using a quart of Rislone engine treatment, a Fram high mileage oil filter, and Castrol 5W30 motor oil. Run your truck for 1,000 miles and change the oil, Rislone, and filter. Repeat after another 1,000 miles. Then after another 1,000 miles change everything again without adding the Rislone. I can only speak for myself, but this completely stopped the ticking in my 1995 3.2 Rodeo. I can now run for 3,000 to 3,500 miles and when the ticking starts I change the oil and filter, still using the same brand of oil and filter. I have been doing this for approximately 2 years and so far it has worked every time.

[FL 3.2L]

Ticking appears in my engine at 2,750 miles or so after an oil change. I add about a quarter of a quart of the Shell Rotella and it gets me to the next oil change. The engine then stays quiet for the next 2750.