The Oldsmobile Connection

[myfathersoldsmobile]

Last week my engine starting making a noise that I suspected was coming from the valvetrain. It's a steady "click, click click" that increases in frequency with RPM's. It sounds an awful lot like my old VW Bus did when it had a collapsed hydraulic lifter. I took out the stethoscope and determined that it was coming from the rear of the engine. What can I do to futher diagnose and/or fix the problem. I suspect there's no easy answer, but maybe I'll get lucky.
Thanks!
Jon

[88 Coupe]

myfathersoldsmobile wrote: ........ stethoscope and determined that it was coming from the rear of the engine ........
When you know which side, pull that valve cover and check the rocker assemblies/pushrods for signs of wear, or damage. A bent pushrod can be verified, by rolling it on a "known" flat surface, such as a window glass.

If a hydraulic lifter compresses when you press down on its rocker/pushrod, you will have found the problem.

Norm

[myfathersoldsmobile]

Thanks Norm, I'll try that.

[strokercutlass]

Pull the dipstick...check the color of the oil. If it's tan/brown, stop running it, drain the oil anc change it, and replace the intake gaskets.

Also, pull the oil fill cap...look inside. If you see some odd looking buildup, pull the front valve cover and look at the inside of it....if there are builtup areas above each rocker arm, chances are it pitched the intake gasket as well.

On these particular engines, if a ticking noise is heard, that's generally the first place to look....the reason being that if antifreeze is introduced into the engine oil, it will thin the oil to the point where the lifters don't fully pump up, creating the ticking noise......extended use can wash the bearings and cause engine damage.

Pleeeeeaaassee tell me you check or have checked the oil recently???

[myfathersoldsmobile]

strokercutlass wrote: Pull the dipstick...check the color of the oil. If it's tan/brown, stop running it, drain the oil anc change it, and replace the intake gaskets.

Also, pull the oil fill cap...look inside. If you see some odd looking buildup, pull the front valve cover and look at the inside of it....if there are builtup areas above each rocker arm, chances are it pitched the intake gasket as well.

On these particular engines, if a ticking noise is heard, that's generally the first place to look....the reason being that if antifreeze is introduced into the engine oil, it will thin the oil to the point where the lifters don't fully pump up, creating the ticking noise......extended use can wash the bearings and cause engine damage.

Pleeeeeaaassee tell me you check or have checked the oil recently???
Shawn, Here's the update- The car overheated the other day. After it cooled I noticed that there was a lot of fluid missing from the system. I had topped off the system a few weeks ago, but apparently it had gone down again, probably into the intake as you suggested. I had been checking the oil level, but today I took note of the color, turd brown on the paper towel.
I need to order a new intake gasket but I will change the oil in the meantime and again after I switch the gasket. It looks like the job(intake gasket) will be easier to do than it was on my 88, 3800 Series 2. Maybe you can confirm that. I may not have the manual in time for the intake job, so I would need to know the basics about torque settings and sequence.
Thanks for pointing me in this direction. If there's any other info you can provide I'd appreciate it, re: the procedure, torque settings and sequence.
I am going to GMpartsdirect now to order the gasket.
Thanks!
Jon

[wegngis]

My story, put into its own post.

http://www.oldsconnection.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3286

[myfathersoldsmobile]

My noise disapeared after changing the oil, so I suspect maybe an intake leak thinned the oil and the lifters decompressed, as suggested above. I assume that gas was leaking in since there is no milky sludge present in the oil. I have been losing coolant but I am not sure where it's going. I'll have to have a pressure test done.