Lifter Noise in a 1987 Dodge 318?

Question

I started getting lifter noise at warm up on my 318 dodge but now it makes noise all the time. I changed the oil with the Motor Tech 10W-40W oil plus a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil. The noise did not go away. Today i changed the oil again with Castrol 5W-30W and a quart of Reslon motor treatment and the noise is worse. Any suggestions I can do to save the expense of taking it to the repair shop? Would 20W-50W oil help? What additives can I use? The engine up to this problem ran flawlessly. i do not notice any lack of power just lots of clicking.

Answer 1

Dont run super heavy weight oil, that will just rob your motor of proper lubrication. If you dont want to take it apart and fix it, you are not going to improve anything. It could just be sticky valves. The only liquid fix that might improve the noise would be by starting with a bottle of engine flush, then when through with that process finish with a can of sea foam. The engine flush adds right to your oil, then you run the motor then drain oil. It just gives the internal motor a quick clean. Do your oil change then try the sea foam for final additive.

This process usually helps noise from dirty valves, but will not help damaged valves or lifters. Always start with the cheapest parts that you might think are causing the problem, then work your way up. You can put money into a car all day long and not find the problem, especially when you dont have the high dollar equipment, or not acustom to diagnosing engine noises.

Hope this helps, but start with the deep clean to see if their is any change, if not either live with it, or fix it.

Answer 2

I have a 1989 B350 with the 318 5.2 engine. Its a camper van that I recently purchased w/ 94k miles on it.

It started Tap, tap, tapping prey loud. I have a friend who has worked on 1000 dodge motors and was a pro mechanic for 30 years. He has replaced enough lifters, rods, ect. in his time to know.

Said if the tapping was a fast tick at the top end (crankcase) that it was most likely a rocker not getting oil. Said to put Sea foam in the oil and run it around town/freeway. Said that Mopars are very well known for this. Especially if it had sat for longer periods of time witch Im sure it has.

So, I put 1/2-3/4 of a bottle of Seafoam in and started driving.

The very loud tapping went away completely after a few miles. Went from a loud knocking that had me worried to a purring kitten.

I am lucky. My problem was only a clogged oil pathway. If that wasn't the problem and it didn't work I would have moved on to opening the valve cover and testing further.

People who talk like Seafoam is the Devil and/or that it solves nothing are only speaking from LIMITED personal experience.

Seafoam it the first, most inexpensive step to take while trying to pinpoint your problem.

If it doesn't work, move to the next possibility and so on until you reach WORST case scenario.

BUT to say, "don't even waste your money" ($6.99) and go straight to pulling your intake manifold off and draining your coolant to replace rods/lifters is a little stupid.



That's my 2cents!

And please everyone, use discernment when reading all the information people spew out all over the internet these days. Some of it is invaluable, allot is worthless ;)

Answer 3

Lifters in 318's are relatively easy to change.The only tools you need is a set of half inch sockets a torque wrench and a lifter removal tool.If you remove the valve covers then disconnect the five rocker shaft bolts and remove it remember to place it down in the same direction you removed it.Pull the pushrods and roll them on a flat surface to check them for bends replace if necessary then use the lifter tool to pull the lifters.I like to soak the lifters in oil while I'm doing the removal and then use a pushrod to pump them up while submerged.Place the new lifters in there bores and place the pushrods to them now put the rockershaft back in place in the same direction you pull it from it needs to be placed that way for proper oiling.Now align the pushrods in the cups in the rocker arm.Start tightening the rockershaft bolts from the middle out a little at a time.Center bolt then next to the center bolts then outside bolts.Once you have the bar to wear it supports the pushrods you can switch to the torque wrench check the chiltons but if I remember right its 25 pounds of torque per bolt start from center working out.After completing that place your valve cover with new gasket back on and hook up your pvc valve.For proper lifter break in you must start your engine and run it between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm for 20 minutes it is necessary to get the lifters to spin in there seats so they don't flatten your cam.

Answer 4

Check and make sure you have sufficient oil pressure too. A 20 year old engine could have some sludge build-up around the oil pump screen as well as oil gallies becoming clogged.

Answer 5

on that one id say you need to change the oil pump on it and clean the pan out real good,they get a layer of sludge built up in them,and that causes the oil pressure to get low on them,its a good one day job ,by the time you get it all back together and running again,good luck on it.

Answer 6

Stop wasting time & money on ' rebuild in a can ' stuff. Pull off the rocker covers & check which lifters are not pumping up / bleading down. =^ )