Whenever we are passing on any breaker or any damaged roads, we hear some sounds from our cars that’s generally the normal thing. But what about if it comes continuously. In this situation, the driver gets annoyed by these sounds and you may distract sometimes.

If the sound comes continuously it means there is some internal damage in your car. Seriously, You need to send your car for servicing or repairing. Maybe your car rocker arm, pushrod, lifter, valve, or any other part get serious damage. In most cases, the Lifters of the cars get damaged.

Lifters and their Types?

Before, we go to the problems of lifters we need to know – “What are Lifters”? After knowing this, We can easily find out that which type of lifter gets damaged, or how we can deal with them?

So, What is Lifters?

Valve lifters are the finger-sized cylindrical part inside your car’s engine. They usually have a small hole that allows oil to be lubricated inside of the valve. The lifter raises the rocket arm or pushrod which is approximately an inch thick of steel until it reaches the very top of the valve.

Lifters must operate in a quiet manner and make sure that the entire engine is as quiet as it can be. If, for instance, the lifters themselves are loud there is something wrong.

There are a variety of kinds of lifters, some that make less noise than others.

1. Mechanical and Solid Roller Lifters

They’re generally quieter. They require manual arm adjustments, but they’re an great for speed and strength. Roller lifters solve the issues with solid lifters, however, they’re quite expensive.

2. Hydraulic Valve Lifter

This is the kind of lifter that you’re likely to encounter inside your engine. They can slow down a bit but they’re self-adjusting therefore you won’t have to adjust them manually.

Note: Be aware that all of these kinds of lifters require regular maintenance checks just like every other component in the motor. Of course, the valves for hydraulics are the ones most likely to generate the sound of ticking.

What Is A Hydraulic Lifter?

The hydraulic lifter is also known as hydraulic tappet and hydraulic valve filter along with the hydraulic lash adjustmenter another part that moves in the engine. The engine’s valves are connected to the camshaft. This helps the valve filter transfer motion of the camshaft. This allows it to be able to open and close the valves in the engine.

The intake will be controlled by the control of air and fuel into the combustion chamber. The process continues. The lifter, however, is a crucial component that controls the performance of an engine. This is why it must be in a position that is well-working. Since a car engine is an extremely complicated device that has hundreds of moving components.

That’s why it is necessary for essential maintenance. In order to ensure its efficiency, performance, and long-lasting. This can help you manage the combustion process and conserve fuel. If your hydraulic lifter doesn’t function properly it could be a sign due to an engine valve or other problems. This can cause the “lifter-ticking” sound.

Are you still confused?

If you watch this video, you’ll be able to know what I’m trying to convey and know all the tiny parts of the valve for lifting. It’s time to find out the reasons for an engine lifter that makes a ticking sound inside the engine of your car.

Are Noisy Lifters Dangerous?

The driver must be pretty tuned to their vehicle to detect the distinct clicking or ticking sounds that an unreliable lifter could make. Therefore, first, it is important to be sure there’s no sheet metal pieces loose that are bouncing around in your engine.

If you still hear clicking noises, even though you’ve got your car to be as quiet as could be, your issue may lie in the rods or in the lifters. When I was conducting my research into engine noises I came across a YouTube video (linked below) that was extremely useful in explaining the differences of the two. In fact, it was extremely helpful that I will use it in this post, and I suggest watching the entire video.

In essence, if you allow the noise goes on for too long and your car’s performance is affected, it will be affected and eventually, you’ll feel the financial burden. It’s better to let an expert examine the cause of the noise as I did to save in the future. If the issue is really caused by the lifting mechanism, there are simple solutions to solve it.

What Causes Of Lifter Tick?

The little sound of ticking under the hood, which makes everyone crazy and especially the driver, is the well-known lifter tick sound. The tick originates from lifters, and the reason for the unusual sound is fascinating in itself.

What is the reason that causes the lifters inside the engine to create this sound?

However, if you aren’t concerned about it, it might cause damage to other components within your vehicle. So, when you fix the problem with the lifter tick, it’s essential to find out what is causing the issue.

This has been the subject of debates and forums for a long time and now there are several most important reasons that can be fairly agreeable can be discussed.

1. Bad, Or Faulty Lifter

When you go over a high breaker, the lifter can be damaged by the breaker, particularly if you’re driving your vehicle at a speed that is high. This is the reason for hearing a ticking sound from the lifter inside your car’s engine.

A defective or damaged lifter within the engine could cause the tick to occur and it needs to be removed and replaced, which isn’t a task for laypeople.

The most effective method to deal with this kind of tick would be to bring the vehicle that is in trouble to a garage where experts install a diagnostic tool on the engine. This is the most effective way to determine if there is a problem with the lifter within the engine.

2. Dirt Deposits In Engine Oil

Improper cleaning of your car is the second reason for the Causes Of Lifter Tick. Because, How frequently do you drive your car to go to other places? After using your Vehicle you don’t care about or clean your car.

This will become the cause of having ticking noise inside the engine. How? When you start your car the dirt particles fall into the oil and deposit on the car lifter (valve).

If it happens again and again then your car lifter could be jammed with dirt deposits.

3. Bent Push Rod

Finally, the notorious bent push rod is pushed into the top three spots and then it raises its ugly, expensive head. If the vehicle is being pushed to the limit and it is treated as a race car occasionally the force of the push rod’s depression is excessive and it causes bending. In this instance, you should take the vehicle to the garage for repair and the rod replaced.

4. Using Wrong Oil Viscosity

Is the valve filter on your car function on the thick or thin engine oil? There are many kinds of engine oil on the market. You’re using oil that is too thick or thick for your vehicle and the lifters. Some of them might not work with the car you drive. In the event that you choose to use one, it, it may clog your valve filter.

Similar to the oil used in engines, the viscosity, the viscosity of fluids is crucial to determine if that the valve filter is operating properly or not.

5. Faulty Engine Valve Lifter

Have you checked the valve of your engine lifter in the past? Most likely due to lack of maintenance on the car engine.

The engine valve lifter gets damaged and, if not addressed, the issue, it can permanently harm.

The reason for this is that it was poor quality engine oil frequently that caused the valve lifter to become choked. In the end, it ceases to work and it then starts producing noise.

6. Misaligned The Lifter

Do you know that as the valve absorbs heat, it expands and shrinks in size? Absolutely appropriate if you want your lifter valve to work correctly.

In addition, you must provide an adequate balance space between the camshaft, the rocker arm, and the pushrod.

Therefore, the lifter must not be confined to a tiny space, or you might hear the sound of your lifter ticking.

7. Damage Push Rod

The push rod can be considered to be one of the most vital components of an engine. It isn’t curved, however, it connects to the arm that is under the rocker.

To allow the valves for exhaust and intake for air to flow into the combustion chamber. This procedure will get the engine’s operation, however when the pushrod is bent too far. It will end up breaking the pushrod and creating the ticking sound.

8. Low Oil Levels

Do you frequently check the oil level in your engine? If not, and if there isn’t enough oil in the engine. You could face the same issue with excess dirt. Since the lifter requires oil to sustain the power of lifting by using the suction method.

If the lifter does not succeed in this way, then you might be faced with noise from the lifter.

9. Old Vehicle

How long do you use your vehicle? After regular maintenance of your car and with care while driving. If a car lifter still making the ticking sound. It could be the reason why you are using the vehicle for a long duration. If you also frequently travel, you should consider using your car.

It could be a time to say the car off of your hands. Since after driving for a long time, it could end up damaging moving components. It’s not fixable and the lifter begins to make the ticking sound.

Here are the reasons for the lifter’s ticking sound. Some have been reconstructed from my personal experience, and others are based on rigorous study.

I’m not a professional mechanic. However, I am able to fix this problem because I’ve spent a lot of time in my personal vehicle. Therefore, let’s look at the solution to stop the ticking sound of the lifter.

How To Fix Lifter Tick Sound?

In the event of any engine problem, it is recommended to conduct periodic inspections first. For instance, if you haven’t driven the car for some time it is possible that the lifters will start to sound like the oil is drained. If that’s the scenario, all you have to do is to allow your engine to run for around 20-30 minutes before the oil begins to circulate again. The noise should then cease by itself.

Have you repaired anything in your vehicle? If not, take heart, this won’t be that difficult to grasp. It’s all you have to do is know the solution and gather details regarding the issue. To ensure that you are successful.

If however, the ticking is still occurring then you must begin looking over the valve train to identify malfunctioning components.

1. Change The Old Engine Oil

The majority of things that make your lifters louder are the result of insufficient maintenance on your engine. You are aware that oil must be drained and replaced at least every two years.

As I’ve explained previously, the incorrect engine oil and viscosity are also an issue that causes the noise of the lifter. The choice of the right oil for your engine is essential for this. You’ll notice that certain engine noises can be cured by using an oil thickener or by using more oil at the beginning. But, this isn’t the best option for a noise-producing valve lifter.

As I’ve previously mentioned that lifters only have one tiny hole that allows oil through. Thicker oil will be unable to penetrate the interior of the lifting device, which could result in it jamming and creating debris. Utilizing oil that’s too thin comes with some disadvantages of its own, however. Thicker oil isn’t enough to properly lubricate your engine, or provide adequate padding to the moving parts.

This is why, in your research, this could be the reason to blame. It is then time to change the oil in your engine.

All you need to do is to raise your car and then, with care, unblock and drain it into an empty container. Then, take the filter off and put it back in place once all the oil has been pumped out.

2. Replace The Engine Oil Filter

The majority of the time it is a matter of driving your vehicle with low oil levels, the oil filter could be damaged permanently.

This is why the lifter begins producing noise due to it not receiving enough lubrication.

Therefore, it is necessary to replace the filter in your engine. Do not worry, you just need to follow these steps as previously mentioned. When you are reinstalling the filter, you will need to install the latest version.

3. Adjust the Valves

As I’ve mentioned before that hydraulic valves have self-adjusting mechanisms, you might be thinking exactly what it means when recommend that you modify the valves. There are two possible causes that could be not right in your valve train. One is that it could not be directly connected to the lifters however, they could cause some noise.

As you’re aware that valve lifters push them towards the valves. the rocker arms push the valves open. In most cases, there is a small gap between the rocker arms and the valves. This is known as”the valve lash. You can utilize a feeling gauge to determine whether the valve lash is sufficient in dimension. Of course, it is important to check with the manual for your engine to find out how big the valve lash must be.

If the opening isn’t ideal then you can employ a flathead screwdriver to adjust the screw that sits on top of the rocker arms clockwise, to reduce the opening. If the opening is too tight then make the screw counterclockwise in order to increase the lash of the valve.

The following video will demonstrate ways to secure the valve lash of hydraulic lifters. Also, if you’re curious about how to gauge the valve’s length, the initial video I’ve linked can be a helpful tutorial.

4. Use Oil Additives

Sometimes, we make use of the wrong oil for our engines. In the case of oil, think about adding additives to help ensure that the oil is clean. Additionally, an excellent splash of oil additives will also cleanse all the components that engine oil is lubricating. This includes valves as well as the rocker arms, pushrods, and valve lifters as well.

The additives in the oil keep the engine oil clear and allow for that the oil flows smoothly through the other parts components of your engine. The owner’s manual will provide the top oil additives for your vehicle. Combining this with the oil in your engine might not only help in repairing the tick of the lifter but be able to prevent it from occurring in the future.

5. Fix The Damage Push Rod Or Rocker Arm

If you hit over the top, the pushrod that is damaged and the rocker arm might be damaged. If the rocker or pushrod arm is damaged, they can trigger the lifter to tick. The only way to repair this is to replace the damaged parts with brand new ones. Like replacing the valve lifters.

This is another costly and labor-intensive task. We recommend replacing these valves with a certified technician. But, a skilled vehicle owner could perform this at home.

The components and kits for either a pushrod or the rocker arm, are not inexpensive neither. Prices vary according to the type of car you own, and the engine it runs. In general, you can anticipate an average of between $600 and $1000 for the replacement of pushrods. The replacement of the rocker arm can be anywhere from $500 to $1,500 in average.

Wrapping Up

Hearing the sound of the lifter can be embarrassing when traveling with someone who is important to you. It’s a typical issue found in many vehicles. However, if the owner simply ignores the issue, it will get more severe each day.

It’s the reason you don’t wish to be trapped with a problem that isn’t yours to overcome. So, tackling these issues first is the first priority for you. You don’t need to spend a lot of time on it, but you must know the root of the issue and the best way to address it.

This is why I wrote this article to aid you. The first step is to examine the cause of why the lifter is making a sound of tapping or ticking. Start fixing the issue if possible or, if not, you should seek assistance from an expert.

It’s true that it will cost you more money, but this can also save you money by avoiding any other issues.