Lifter tick solutions

NYSpeed Automotive
1

I’ve got a 96 Subaru with the EJ22, 2.2L motor. It ticks like it is it’s job. I’ve heard it is very common and know it is not a problem as it has ticked for the past year, and faithfully done 20k without skipping a beat. Only 122k total on the car as is.

However, it is getting really damn annoying. I have heard of Seafoam and intend on running seafoam in the crankcase for the next few days and then changing the oil out.

I am currently and have been running Castrol GTX at the recommended weight. Would it be beneficial to go to synthetic to help ease the tick? And if I change the weight of the oil, should I go thicker or thinner? Keep in mind the tick is at all times, warm and cold motor.

2

what color is the oil off the dipstick or when you drained it?

3

exhaust leak? maby

and go thicker with the oil…

4

Golden. It’s always been clean coming off. As for exhaust. it is solid. No leaks.

5

sure its a lifter? is oil pressure low?

6

Oil pressure is fine. I know it’s lifters as it is a well-documented problem with EJ22 subarus.

7

well your pressure would be low if it was a lifter. maybe you overheated the motor? rodknock?

8

Car has never been overheated, and the motor has run the same way for the past 22k in the past year. No difference whatsoever. Completely clean oil at every change.

9

i think you can throw some stoptick in it, if your game on running additives

10

if it is a lifter then replace them?

11

If its been fine for 22k miles, leave it. Cracking the motor open to replace them, or try to diagnose them is only going to lead to oil leaks and more problems.

12

i was going to say, if it has been doing this for 22k why are you deciding to do something about it now? if anything, you should have fixed it when it first occured

13

I think he is looking for smaller solutions as in changing the weight oil or adding an additive. I believe Lucas makes a product that may solve your problem.

14

letting it tick shouldnt hurt it. If you want, somtimes heavier weight oil will help but since it ticks hot or cold i dont think it will but you can try.

15

seafoam couldnt hurt

plus the smoke cloud is fucking sweet

16

Exactly. I’m not taking apart the motor to fix something that is causing no damage other than being purely annoying, but if an additive followed by switching to a different oil can help quiet it down, I’ll be glad to spend the $10.

I did run Seafoam in the crankcase which has helped cut the loudness by about half. Also seemed to smoothen the motor out a fair bit. I am impressed by the product and will run it through a vacuum line sometime soon as well to clean the motor out further.

I will be changing the oil to synthetic as I’ve heard the smaller molecular structure helps it get up into the head easier as well.

17

Exactly. I’m not taking apart the motor to fix something that is causing no damage other than being purely annoying, but if an additive followed by switching to a different oil can help quiet it down, I’ll be glad to spend the $10. If my oil was coming out contaminated after changes, or there was an indication of actualy mechanical issues with the way the motor has run, I would.

I did run Seafoam in the crankcase which has helped cut the loudness by about half. Also seemed to smoothen the motor out a fair bit. I am impressed by the product and will run it through a vacuum line sometime soon as well to clean the motor out further.

I will be changing the oil to synthetic as I’ve heard the smaller molecular structure helps it get up into the head easier as well.

18

My EJ22 ticks also… Interested in hearing your solutions.

19

lucas oil =)

20

put a quart or so of tranny fluid in a few days before your next oil change. the detergents in the tranny fluid may break up some varnish thats built up in the lifters…