86 951 sat idle for a little over a year during a prolonged project including turbo swap, M Tune install, Zeitronix ZT2 install, bearing refresh, etc...

Just started the car and am hearing an obvious clicking that I believe to be lifter noise. Other than this noise, the car has settled into a beautifully smooth idle, with the idle A/F at 14.7. Haven't driven the car yet as I'd like to trouble shoot the noise before putting a load on the engine.

Some searching here on the List seems to yield 2 different approaches.

1). Just take it for a nice long drive and the lifter noise will sort itself out as the oil finally makes its way back to all of the lifters.

2). Add a quart of ATF and let it idle for 15-20 minutes, then complete oil change.

I'm not real comfy with option 1, as I have little faith in these things fixing themselves.

Understand this condition is pretty common in cars that have sat idle for extended periods of time. Just looking for a little real-world advice from those that have "been there-solved that."

Thanks much.

 

I had real bad lifter noise when hot several years ago. I did the ATF/idle/change oil a couple times and haven't had a problem since. My car has sat for the last 2.5 years and when I just took the cam tower off to change the gasket I was pleased that all lifters were still nice and firm.
So I am very happy with the results of option 2, but I would still give option 1 a bit of a try, since it's possible they aren't actually dirty and the oil just drained out of the lifters. Even if option 1 solves it I would consider doing the ATF at the next oil change.
Also there is 1 downside that I'm aware of with the ATF. It works because it is very high in detergents, but these detergents can also clean away stuff that is preventing seals from leaking. So it could restart oil leaks or make existing leaks worse.

 

When I first put my engine back together I too had a lot of lifter clatter, after running it for approx 30 minutes the noise subsided, but would come back on cold starts during the following few weeks. It has been three years since and I haven't had any lifter noise, even when leaving the car sit over the winter.

I guess what I am trying to say, if it was ok before the car sat, it will probably be ok after you run it for a while and everything gets pumped back up.

 

When you did the bearings how clean was the inside of the pan? Did you see any varnishing?

 

how much atf is safe to put in?

 

Once a year I will add drain 2 litres of oil and then top it up with atf & take it for a good 30 minute dry then change the oil (also tile the drivers side a bit to get the last quart of oil out of the pan. Replace oil & filter & include some Lucas Oil Stabilizer which helps with lifter tick.

 

Inside of the pan was clean. What would varnish indicate?

 

Elite, I've had great success just adding 1 quart and then idling for about 10-15 min.

Noah, I was told it's not safe to even rev the engine with the ATF in the oil. I also don't want it to heat up enough to get in the oil cooler where I can't drain it out. I don't know if it is really as bad as I was told, but it is very effective from just idling, so I won't risk it.

EJZ, the varnish is what makes the lifters sticky, so if the oil pan was clean the lifters probably are good, but if there was varnish on the oil pan, it's likely there is varnish on the lifters, too.

 

The lifter noise should go away after it's run for a while. It's normal to have that if the engine has sat for an extended period.

 

Bingo! Not to say the ATF won't help but I would only do it on a neglected engine with varnish. Otherwise, as ASM suggested the lifters will quiet down as the oil pressure builds. Might be a bit loud for a little while. Go enjoy the car.

 

When I did the head gasket on my 86 NA I had terrible lifter noise that wouldn't go away after 20 minutes of driving.
I drained the oil a refilled it with 5 quarts cheap oil and 1 quart of marvel mystery oil. Drove it about 300 yards and the noise way gone. I then immediately changed the oil.

 

Thanks for all the info, everyone. I really appreciate it.

Looks like the plan is to start to drive it the way it is and see if it quiets down.

 

Never underestimate the simple first step.

 

Pleasantly surprised...option A proved effective.

Had her idling for some time yesterday as I was monitoring some parameters via the newly installed Zeitronix ZT2, and suddenly realized, "Hey, she's quiet!"

Still need to adjust the idle (currently at ~1000) and refill power steering with ATF. Will be ready for the first drive soon.

 

@EZero. have been contemplating adding a Zeitronix unit to my car upon re-assembly. How do you like it and was the install pretty simple?