R.B.

I am not sure about the testing in oil. All I have done to test them is take them out one at a time and push on the button. A failing lifter will depress easy, good ones will not even budge under heavy pushing. ie. lifter on floor, me pushing down with a broomstick handle <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

R.B.

Mike A.

I have a track only '89 951 that had the same tapping noise. It was the lifters. I swapped them out for new ones. Two were worn. The new lifters were quiet, but not always. Every once in a while, the tapping occurs on start up.
I use the car about 1-3 weekends a month. I use Valvoline Racing oil 15-50W. I have a 3 qt. Accusump that I always turn on (before turning the motor over) to pre-oil the engine. The tapping always goes away, usually after idling for 15-20 minutes.
I've been told both by my race mechanic and by a Porsche technician that this tapping of the lifters is not uncommon behavior for a 944. Despite this, car always runs great on the track.

Olli Snellman

Hej Nik,

with only 130 k km's your lifters should be in very good condition (assuming you have changed oil on time).I used thin syntetich oils with bad results.I changed to Valvoline racing 15W50 with good results.Do you drive your car often or is it only weekend car? If you use it only on weekends it can cause oil from lifters drain out.If you use your car on daily basis this should not happend.
What comes to my location i live in Kerava which is about 25km's north from Helsinki (about 125km south from Tampere).

Olli
'88 951

nik

Thanks for the info! How much is a set of new lifters? 300$?

R.B.

You do not need to buy all 8 lifters. They are very expensive. I paid over $100 Cdn for one. You should just replace those that are failing. They do last a long time. I have only replaced one in over 300 000 km's.

-R.B.

nik

R.B: Is there some way too decide wich lifter is broke without demounting anything. I think you can use a wooden stick, push it to the camhousing and listen with the ear in the other end.

I was out on a trip with the car yesterday..the car/lifters only "ticks" for a few minutes until the oil/motor is warm. After that they dont "tick" at all, so they can't be worn!? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

Olli Snellman

Hej Nik,

how often your car is used.If it's only a "week end warrior" it's possible that lifters just drain oil out during the days your car sits unused.Your car has so low mileage that lifters should be still in good condition.

Olli
'88 951

R.B.

[quote] R.B: Is there some way too decide wich lifter is broke without demounting anything. I think you can use a wooden stick, push it to the camhousing and listen with the ear in the other end. <hr></blockquote>

Not that I know of. If you use a stethescope you may be able to pin point which one is makeing noise. But I haven't tried it.

I would agree with Oli statement if that is the case.

[quote] how often your car is used.If it's only a "week end warrior" it's possible that lifters just drain oil out during the days your car sits unused.Your car has so low mileage that lifters should be still in good condition.<hr></blockquote>

-R.B.

Stefan

I have a 951 with 280,000km on the engine. The engine was just fully rebuilt, and I find the ticking at startup is louder than before and it actually takes longer for the oil to circulate at startup.

Mechanic assures me it's fine ... but maybe something is a-miss? It is usually only driven a few days a week so I'm guessing the oil drains down, but why is it more noticeable AFTER the rebuild??

oh, oil is std 10w30

KRhino

I had the same problem with my lifters after a long 2.5yr paint and restoration project. Really didn't want to tear it apart after all that work.
I tried an old timers trick...I drained 2 qts of oil and added a couple of qts of atf let it idle for a couple of mins...it stopped ticking after about 10 secs. Drained the oil added fresh. The sound came back again after it sat for a few days. This time 4 qts of oil 60w valvoline and 4 qts of atf. I even reved the engine and took it for a short but very mellow spin...replaced with fresh oil...drove it...replaced oil again and it has been silent for 8 mos. despite sitting for weeks at a time. It worked for me and mine was so bad I really could'nt drive it.

Danno

Then there's always the ATF trick. Drain about a quart of oil and stick in some ATF. Apparently there's some detergents in there that breaks down oil deposits and scum that may have clogged up your lifters. I've heard recommendations of idling for 30-minutes up to easy-driving for 100-miles. I split the difference and drove around gently for 30-minutes and the clacky lifters quieted down nicely.

P.S. This may sound stupid, but have you checked your oil level?

nik

[quote]Originally posted by Olli Snellman:
<strong>Hej Nik,

how often your car is used.If it's only a "week end warrior" it's possible that lifters just drain oil out during the days your car sits unused.Your car has so low mileage that lifters should be still in good condition.

Olli
'88 951</strong><hr></blockquote>

I use the car once or twice a week, so you could say it's a weekend warrior.
I think it has to do with my oil, I'll swap to a 10W/40 oil and see if there's any diiference.

nik

[quote]Originally posted by Danno:
<strong>Then there's always the ATF trick. Drain about a quart of oil and stick in some ATF. Apparently there's some detergents in there that breaks down oil deposits and scum that may have clogged up your lifters. I've heard recommendations of idling for 30-minutes up to easy-driving for 100-miles. I split the difference and drove around gently for 30-minutes and the clacky lifters quieted down nicely.

P.S. This may sound stupid, but have you checked your oil level?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Hmmm so that is an old trick...I guess that ATF oil same as non-synthetic. I don't want to fill her up with bad oil...

The oil level is ok alright