2ndof2

Anyone have feedback on why my '80's motor clicks after long drives @60miles and sometimes when I've been sitting in traffic too long? I've also noticed the motor clicks more often as it gets time for new oil. I do have some small oil leaks so filling a 1/2 quart remedies this occasionally but not always. Is this a viscosity issue with the oil? I generally use 20-50W since I'm at about 129K miles. Had this issue start a while back but now that I've had some time to evaluate when it tends to happen thought I'd post again. Rislone was a short term quick fix as was a prestone engine flush. Neither resolved the problem permanently (obviously). If you've had the same problem as and solved the problem I'd love to know what does the trick! A fresh oil change tends to keep it quiet but I don't recall whether it clicks if I drive 60 miles right after an oil change since I've never done this.

2ndof2

Hmmmmmm....no responses.....can't just be MY car that's doing this can it?

UKKid35

Clicks that change with oil condition are almost certainly hydraulic lifter related. One possible solution would be to use an engine flush immediately before another oil change, others have suggested soaking the crankcase in kerosene, but that sounds a bit brutal to me.

Don't forget that 129K isn't really a high mileage for these cars, you may well do better with a semi-synthetic oil, but I would suggest you read posts by Doug Hillary before making any decisions.

If the problem is greatest when starting the engine then you could also try cleaning the non-return valves in the heads, but you need to remove the cam covers to do that.

Nathan Valles

What does "clicks" mean, and when does your car "click"? Is this a sound it makes while running or after the engine is shut off?

You haven't given enough information for us to figure out what you are asking.

2ndof2

Thanks Paul, I will look into those ideas.
Nathan, the clicks are when the car is running. Definately sounds like a lifter issue to those who have heard it. Just not really certain why the lifters would click sometimes and other times not. Its a mechanical clicking that speeds up/slows down with engine RPMs.

Randy V

A search of the archives for 'clicking sound' produces several matches.

Here's one that may be helpful:

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...clicking+sound

2ndof2

Randy,
I read that thread a while back and tried the Rislone but this wasn't a permanent fix. I also really didn't find anyone talking about their car clicking just after driving a while or in slow traffic at times. Just looking to see if there might be a correlation between when I hear this clicking and something else. Sounds like the lifter hydraulics are getting gummed up somehow. Is running Rislone longer than a hundred miles or so reccommended to really clean it out? I'm thinking of trying this approach. I'm battling some oil leaks and don't know if a different oil might cause the car to leak more with a less viscous fluid being run. I may try the Rislone again and see what happens.

Randy V

Try the transmission fluid method.

jon928se

If Clicks are Hydraulic lifter related the cause more often than not is not the lifters but the Oring seal on the non return valve in the oil feed to the heads. It's a 10c part but about 2-3 hours labour to do both sides as it involves removing both cam covers and a whole load more other stuff.

My opinion on all of the Engine cleaning/flushing additives is that they are just as good at flushing crap out of the engine into the sump as they are at flushing it into the lifters. I'ld live with it until you can fix the non return valve. BTDT

Jon
Black SE

Randy V

You are correct Jon - the flush/engine treatment is intended to clean that valve as well as the lifter(s).

WallyP

I don't think that the '80 has the oil return check valve.

The first thing that I would suggest is to see what the oil pressure is at hot idle.

Curt

I wouldnt be using 20w-50 in Santa Barbara. I would use a straight 40 weight oil. I use Castrol GTX 40. and have had very little problems with lifters clicking in my 79. The only time I can hear them is after the car sits for long periods of time. Long periods I mean two to three weeks if not more. Then after start up you can hear the lifters until the oil starts to warm up. I do have good oil pressure all the time though.

2ndof2

I'll give the ATF fluid a try and then go with some 40weight and see what happens.
Wally, the oil pressure has not been a problem at idle or any other RPM. I also I don't see any difference in pressure when the car starts clicking. Good thought, but originally I was thinking it might be oil pickup related at first but that doesn't seem to be the source of the problem.
BTW - curt, did you buy some telephone dial 16 inch wheels from someone in Westlake Village a couple years back? I had a buddy show them to someone who bought them and said they were from Ventura. Thought it may have been you.

Curt

Not me. I have the 16" flats that it came with. But I have been around a while...