[Johannvb]

I did a search here and have not been able to find an answer. My problem is this:

My engine has a soft clicking sound, almost like an engine with mechanical tappets that is a little loose. This is not the problem of the car having stood still for a while, this noise is there when the engine is hot as well, even after a trip of 90km.

I don't think it is that cam chain, because it is new and has only 8000km on it.

Could it be that my head is needing an overhaul?

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[unknown4u]

Hi Johann, first of all locate what the problem is before doing an overhaul.
It sounds like to me that one of the tappets passed away. Because the sound is always there it is easy to locate it with an stethoscope.
A tappet is around 40 euro's for a brand new one at Pon in Leusden.
The only thing is that the camshaft need to be removed completly.
And I read that you have done this lately by changing the chainpads.
You have now done the excerise so it must be lot quicker this time :-)

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[Johannvb]

Thanks Richie. Unfortunately I didn't do the belts myself the previous time, but this time I will. This is a good excuse to buy even more tools!

I also think it is something to do with the valves because the car has been using a lot of oil lately. On a trip to Germany with speeds in excess of 200kph and a distance of 1200km I went through 1,5 liters. This is much more than I usually use, in prior 7k km I only added 500ml

I see that an overhauled head can be bought for ±1000 euro. I would have preferred ordering an RSBarn unit with uprated springs, but I think shipping is going to be a deal breaker.

But it might be fun overhauling the head myself...If I am going to replace one lifter, I might as well do the rest don't you think?

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[firefish]

My engine is also making a softish clicking/clacking noise when warm and on idle or close to it. I don't now what it is but it sounds just like an old Volvo turbo I had eons ago. In that case the sound came from the pistons "tilting" (only very little) in the cylinders due to piston wear, not uncommon with pistons almost without girdle. So I'm thinking that may be what's going on with my 968, although it doesn't use any oil (like 1 liter per 10000 km) as yours seem to be doing.

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[Johannvb]

Mine sounds a little like a diesel, not as loud, but it has that same clacking sound.

I think this winter might be a good time for me to do a complete engine overhaul. It might be overkill, but I would like to start using my 968 as a DD from next year and knowing the block is fresh will make me a whole lot happier.

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[Johannvb]

Can anyone tell me how I would go about checking for failed hydraulic lifters? Can this be done without stripping half of the engine?

any advice appreciated

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[Lear35A]

Johann, You'd have to take the cams off, but that's not the most terrible thing in the world. Once the cams are off you can pull the lifters out with a magnet.

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[jfrahm]

Some of the 928 guys recommend Rislone to free up noisy lifters. I have not tried it myself but there are lots of 928s out there with the same lifters that have run up 200k+ miles so there is a lot of experience there. Some other folks I know are fans of Auto Rx, I have not tried this either but have considered giving it a go on my A8.

If I had a noisy lifter I'd probably toss in some Rislone and maybe fill up with 0w20 or 5w20 oil, drive it real easy for a couple days and see how it goes. No lugging, no full throttle blasts, you just want that thin oil to get hot and seep into the recesses and carry detergent everywhere. Maybe I'd try the Rislone first with clean 10w40 or something first before resorting to stronger medicine.

Maybe tape over that oil cooler too.

-Joel.

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