Ticking sound when cold

[sirtokesalot]

I noticed the other day a tick when I started the engine that went away within a few seconds and today that same tick was back and I did not notice it right away I had driven about a half mile before I noticed it.sounds like a valve tick once I noticed it I free revved the engine once in neutral and the tick went away and was silent normal running from there to work. Should I be worried about it? Is there anything I could do about it? This is on a 1998 outback with the 1995 2.2 engine 

Edited December 7, 2018 by sirtokesalot

[idosubaru]

i wouldn't worry about it - it's HLA's or piston slap right? 

if HLA's i'd try changing the oil often, synthetic, maybe resealing the oil pump and tigthening the backing plate screws. 

or at least put that on your list when you do the timing belt again if you dont' want to now. but it doesn't take that long really to swap an oil pump.

i'm unsure if the backing plate screws matter but it's so common for multiple ones to be loose i figure they should be tight.

[sirtokesalot]

I can say no ticking after it sat 4 hours until my lunch break seems to be intermittent after its sat overnight it sounds alot like a valve tick next time I hear it I'm going to try to get a video. 

[1 Lucky Texan]

I have no experience ewith it but have read that using some marvel mystery oil has helped with sticky HLAs.

and some quiet engines will let you hear a spark if conditions are right and a plug wire is bad.

Edited December 7, 2018 by 1 Lucky Texan

[el_freddo]

Depending on what gen that ej22 came from (‘95 could be Gen1 or Gen2 over there for all I know) can determine exactly what noise it is. 

The Gen1 engine had HVLAs - small but heaps better than the EA82 monstrosities! These can tick from time to time and on my Gen1 EJ22 in the L series this tick on early start up indicates either oil is very cold and taking its time to pressure up to the HVLAs or that my oil level is low. 

The Gen2 engines use a form of roller rockers and from my understanding won’t tick as a result. But this engine is an interference engine. Gen1 is not  

Cheers 

Bennie

Edited December 7, 2018 by el_freddo

[Olnick]

Try the MMO (Marvel Mystery Oil) trick--it'll loosen up any bits of gunk.  Drive for a few days then change oil & filter.

[sirtokesalot]

does anyone know of a good video showing how to remove the lifter? i have a spare head for parts that did not tick before the timing pulley seized snapping the camshaft off in it.

[el_freddo]

No good video but I suspect it’s a cam removal job. 

Have you checked your oil level to verify that it’s where it should be?

Cheers 

Bennie

[sirtokesalot]

13 hours ago, el_freddo said:

No good video but I suspect it’s a cam removal job. 

Have you checked your oil level to verify that it’s where it should be?

Cheers 

Bennie

yes it had done the ticking once before and once after an oil change

[el_freddo]

Have you changed the grade or brand of oil used?

Any chance you could get an oil pressure gauge plumbed in to see what’s happening on start up and whenever the ticking stops?

Cheers 

Bennie