I have a number of stuck 38mm hydraulic lifter for the 2-valve engines. The lifters are difficult to take apart for cleaning, to get the plunger out. Has anyone succeeded in doing that and how did you do it? I am thinking of making a special tool where the plunger can be blown out with pressurized air.
Åke

 

 

Colin's video on modifying the VW lifter shows how to take those apart, looks like similar design:

 

 

You guys are talking about the 35mm 4-valve lifters where the plunger comes out easily. I am referring to the bigger 38mm 2-valve lifters which is a total different matter. Oil sludge and deposits has clogged the oil drillings inside the lifter. The plunger has to come out in order to clean the inside of the lifter. Lizard for a lifter having no inside oil pressure, the plunger shall be movable otherwise it is not functioning as it should. I have just had an BMW Alpina V8 engine apart which have had a severe oil sludge problem. The plunger was stuck, not movable, in all the lifters (picture). After disassemble and cleaning it is now working properly. The BMW lifters are very similar to the 928 4-valve and the VW lifters, though it was a little more troublesome to get the plungers out, had to use pressurized air. The problem is to disassemble the 2-valve lifters - anyone done that?
Åke

 

Lizard, I have some 2-valve lifters which are working, the plunger is spring loaded. Press the plunger in with your finger and it will come back out. For the bad lifters the plunger is stuck and cannot be moved.
Åke