BigAl Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 (edited) Well I have never had an official intro thread as my Suby was, like many I'm sure, bought as a project and I have just been in the process of rebuilding. Having bought her ('88 GL, SPFI, D/R, 5 spd) for $300 she needed some love. The motor has had a full tune up (PCV, plugs, wires, oil and filter, fuel filter, etc..) and as expected at 214K she has the 'Tick Of Death'. I have had a few Suby's over the years and understand what the TOD should sound like, but even after her full tune this tick is pretty violent. After my mechanic and I scoped the car, we found it is coming from the drivers bank, front cylinder (sorry not sure about the numbering). It is to the point where I am convinced I have a valve bent or if luck holds out, just stuck. I am sourcing a 'new' EA82 in preperation already, but thought I would throw this question out there. My mechanic, who has been in the game 30 years, and is one of maybe four people I trust anywhere to touch my cars, mentioned that he has had good luck in the past with Restore Oil Additive freeing up frozen or sticking valves. I am honestly skeptical myself of additives, but I trust this guy unquestionably with my cars. After reading a few reviews on the stuff, people are pretty mixed on their opinions. My main concern is the teflon particles, as people say while they may help some parts of the engine, it can clog/damage others. Basically I know this engine will need replaced in the near future, but was hoping this might get it a few more months down the road and a little more quietly. Sorry to be long winded, just didn't want to leave anything out. Thanks in advance for any advice / opinions. EDIT: On a strange side note, the tick comes and goes. Some days she runs like brand new and hums away like a little sewing machine, other days the tick is almost deafening, which is why I have been thinking maybe the valve is just sticky. But one of the first things I did when I bought her was replace the y-pipe, as the drivers bank had a large hole in it less than an inch from the block. After replacing the manifold the tick remained, and I figured maybe the severe lack of back pressure on an engine with that many miles could have hurt the valves, but again, the noise comes and goes, so not sure what to think. Thanks guys. Alex Edited March 16, 2009 by BigAl More Info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 EDIT: On a strange side note, the tick comes and goes. Some days she runs like brand new and hums away like a little sewing machine, other days the tick is almost deafening, which is why I have been thinking maybe the valve is just sticky. But one of the first things I did when I bought her was replace the y-pipe, as the drivers bank had a large hole in it less than an inch from the block. After replacing the manifold the tick remained, and I figured maybe the severe lack of back pressure on an engine with that many miles could have hurt the valves, but again, the noise comes and goes, so not sure what to think. Nah, no way you got a bent valve. Perhaps sticky but not likely. I'll bet you just have lifters(not really lifter, just an adjuster) that aren't pumping up. The fact it comes and goes is an indication. I would pull the cam case on the drivers side and check out the condition of lash adjusters. I'll bet you've got one that is collapsed and stuck there. Also, Perhaps pull the relief valve spring out of the case and check it's free length, and/or replace it with slightly stiffer/longer, sleeve a skinny spring inside it, something to raise the pressure to the lifters on that side. some even go so far as to place dimes under the lash adjuster, to take up extra slack......IDK about that idea though, you could end up with the lash being too tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opus Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 In my opinion, when you get the tick, get some Marvel Mystery oil and add it to the crankcase. If something is going to work, it will be that. Run some in the gas tanks as well. I kinda doubt a bent valve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAl Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 Ahh, that makes perfect sense. I actually had a similar issue with my old turbo Leggy. Those little 'adjusters' were surprisingly easy to get to, I just bled the stuck/ sticky ones in some fresh oil and it quited her right down. I can't believe I didn't think of that. Thank you !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Ahh, that makes perfect sense. I actually had a similar issue with my old turbo Leggy. Those little 'adjusters' were surprisingly easy to get to, I just bled the stuck/ sticky ones in some fresh oil and it quited her right down. I can't believe I didn't think of that. Thank you !! Yeah, too bad that the ones in the EA82 aren't as easy to get to. But they aren't too hard. Worst part is you gotta take off the timing belt on that side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAl Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 Ahh ok, I figured that might be the case. Well I will probably do the full timing belt service in a little while anyways, so I will just live with a little noise for now and just tackle the lifters while I am in there. Any thoughts or opinions either way on the Restore? My biggest fear is it plugging things up, but some people swear by it. Any experience with this stuff ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoobieDoo Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Don't know about Restore, but I used Seafoam in all 3 ways on my car, and the tick's all but gone. It has no funny additives, that I know of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAl Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 (edited) I actually ran Seafoam in the oil before the oil change and it certainly cleared out alot of crap. I haven't run it in the intake or the fuel though, but only becuase I currently have BG 44K in the tank. Edited March 17, 2009 by BigAl Grammar ownage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4WDFrenzy Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I've used Engine Restore in my Neon(yeah, I know, a Neon) when I used to own one. It seemed to do the trick after the second application. When I first bought it, I could tell it had been ridden hard and hung up wet, as the engine just felt like it wasn't up to snuff. But after a recommendation from a friend's dad who swore by it, I tried it. Like I said, it took about 2 applications before I noticed any kind of difference. The gas mileage went up slightly, compression test showed a slight increase of 4-5psi, and the engine smoothed out a bit too. That is my only experience with the stuff. All I can say is that I like the stuff. But if you feel uncomfortable putting additives into your engine, then don't do it. Nobody will ridicule you for it. Just remember that it is your car and only you can make the decisions as to what goes into it. -Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now