The Famous Ticking noise of a CA18DET..

[Welmer]

hi i have a CA18DET that i just bought and it has this ticking noise when idles and when driving... ive researched and seen that many people had this similar problem with their CAs.. many say it could b a seized lifter...others say its the spud 2 bearing....also ive heard when you do a head gasket change(has had a recent head gasket change when sold to me) this ticking noise starts and goes a away after a while??....i would like to hear from other CA owners that have had this similar problem and how they dealt with it or if you have knowledge of this problem please respond to thread thank you.

[CakeEater]

How loud is the ticking? Faint or promenent?

I would put my money on lifter having air in it. Grab one of those stethiscope things from PA and track down the tick. If it's super loud on the valve cover it is most likely air in a lifter.

P.S It's Nick from SON.....

[trevr]

Mine has ticked since I've purchased the motorset three years ago and I've had no problems with it. My tick comes from the intake side of the head and is only heard at idle.

[rico05]

90% of the time it is gummed up lifters. That is why I have a spare set so that I can replace any that go all noisy on me.

[LEE_08]

both of my ca engines tick, but it is the 700cc & 1200cc injectors that do it!

[mksue3240sx]

Add one quart of ATF to your oil and let it idle for 30 minutes. Then change your oil and the filter. That should clear it up.

[Welmer]

How loud is the ticking? Faint or promenent?

I would put my money on lifter having air in it. Grab one of those stethiscope things from PA and track down the tick. If it's super loud on the valve cover it is most likely air in a lifter.

P.S It's Nick from SON.....

sayy word its nick LOL surpirze surprize but ye its promenent.. i believe the last time i started it up it would tick at idle very noticeable and when i open throttle it gets louder... how would air get into the lifter?? and how would i fix that problem?? did u have a similar problem too with your CA??

[Welmer]

hey and thanks for the input guys appreciate it alot KEEP IT COMING GUYS!!

[dhen]

hey and thanks for the input guys appreciate it alot KEEP IT COMING GUYS!!

If it makes you feel any better I have the exact same problem and am watching this thread...

[CakeEater]

Ok...???

I don't know what you meant by that first part but alright....

Either air or gummed up like other stated. Air can get trapped in by simply just sitting on a good angle or the lifter is messed up and can't hold the oil in it anymore.

I've never had the problem but its best to just trace down the problem lifter and replace it.

At the bare minimum you could track it down and remove it then submerge it in some sort of degreaser for a while and rinse it out good. After cleaning it submerge it in engine oil alternating from side to verticle untill all the air bubbles stop comin out. After the air comes out, let it sit submerged for a few hours in its normal verticle position (flat top with hole on top).

That should clean it out and hopefully thats all it neede. It may still tick and that means time for a new one.

[Welmer]

f***... u know anything about the spud bearings or something like that?? they say that can also b the problem which is a bigger issue than the lifter... also from a recent head gasket change they say it starts to do that then goes away

[CakeEater]

I have never heard of a "spud" bearing.....i believe someone was trying to say "spun" bearing.

If it was a spun bearing it would sound evil and run like poo.

Again I've never heard of this head gasket issue.

Edit: Can you post a link to said "spud" bearing and HG problem.

[float_6969]

There is supposed to be a check valve in each lifter, and in the head that prevents the lifters from loosing oil pressure. BUT anytime you introduce air into the system, ie; removing the head, then it's normal to get some ticking until the air bleeds out. If it ticks every time you start the car when it's cold, but goes away, then you just need to clean the lifters. If they tick all the time, you either need to dis-assemble them and clean them, OR replace then.

And if your problem is like mine, and it doesn't tick until it warms up and oil pressure goes down, IDK WTF to do. I've been fighting it ever since I rebuilt my motor. I think the bearings are sized on the loose side and I have low oil pressure because of it. IDK how to increase oil pressure with out increase volume, and the only high volume pumps I've heard of are from Toga, and supposedly they're crap.

[r34 gtr]

I honestly just ignore it.

[dhen]

Someone told me that you can add half a quart of ATF to the oil to clean it out. I'm a little leery of this, but the guy who told me this is a very good mechanic. Does anyone here have any ideas?

Thanks,

Darian

PS I didn't see the part number in the stickies. I assume CA18DE lifters work?

[trevr]

I honestly just ignore it.

+1

[rico05]

PS I didn't see the part number in the stickies. I assume CA18DE lifters work?

Yes. They can be had at the dealership for around $300 for all 16.

[dhen]

Yes. They can be had at the dealership for around $300 for all 16.

Thanks for the info. For $300 I think I can live with some tapping, though I might try to clean them.

Darian

[dash]

Quote »Add one quart of ATF to your oil and let it idle for 30 minutes. Then change your oil and the filter. That should clear it up.[/quote]learned the same from an instructor(old veteran) in auto mechanics class. Been doing it to every motor I've owned for years

very detailed threads on sxoc and 300zx site on how to dismantle/clean our liftershttp://www.sxoc.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=285794

[Liquid_Neon]

I honestly just ignore it.

here here!I second this motion!

At least until it turns into a knock, then u gotta do SOMETHING!

[float_6969]

I've heard of ATF as an oil cleaner as well.

[Welmer]

so has anyone tired this ATF solutions towards this problem?? im going to try it soon.. right after shes running with a new fuel pump ..(it just went on me).. ill keep u guys posted if this solution works

[float_6969]

Good luck!

[sjbsuperman1425]

how long does it usually take for air to bleed out of the system after re-installing a head? Just curious.

[float_6969]

IIRC, it took 30 min to bleed the air of the lifters on my wife's Miata after we had the head rebuilt.

[Tkca18det]

Someone told me that you can add half a quart of ATF to the oil to clean it out. I'm a little leery of this, but the guy who told me this is a very good mechanic. Does anyone here have any ideas?

Thanks,

Darian

PS I didn't see the part number in the stickies. I assume CA18DE lifters work?

Has anyone tried this??? i know is kinda of an old post but i have the same problem with my lifters, the only difference is that the sound happens on cold starts only and it goes away, I added some valves cleaner but didnt change the oil now im about to do the oil change but dont know what ATF is or if it actually works, im in Costa Rica and its a pain in the neck to get parts for my CA, plus looked around Ebay and no lifters either.

Thanks

[yohnp]

ticking like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sxqnRdu8oI

[float_6969]

They make oil flush that you can buy at the auto parts store if you're worried about the ATF, but I wouldn't be worried about it. As long as you don't rev the motor or drive it, you'll be fine. ATF is a really good detergent.

[themadscientist]

Are you sure it's not the injectors? RB and CA injectors are notoriously loud solenoids. I convinced a guy once the injector clicking noises on his Skyline was bad lifters. He pissed me off, he deserved it.

[float_6969]

Fear the wrath of TMS!