Valve Noise When Cold - Please Help.

[A34D4ME]

1989 240SX:

For some time I've suspected that my car needs valve guide seals - Burning oil when cold.

Now, when it's cold, something is clattering like crazy. It sounds like a stuck lifter. This goes away when it warms up but I noticed, when I removed the oil filler cap, that copeous amounts of air pulsate from my valve cover.

Could this clatter be a sticky lifter? Is it normal to have air pulsating from the valve cover?

My car seems to run great with this one exception.

[S13 240SX]

hrmmmm well the problem goes away when the engine warms up, it could just be your oil weight is wrong for wintner ttime or something. did you do an oil change before winter and which oil weight did you put in?

[A34D4ME]

I use manufacturers recomended oil.

[deviousKA]

It is normal to have some blowby, that is what you are feeling through your oil cap.

Check you valve lash, any that are showing more that .013" are probably where your cold noise is coming from. Once it warms the valves are at temperature, the stems elongate closing some of the lash. This is why the lash is .011-.013" (wide compared to most valvetrains).

Edit: didnt read your post very clearly (was thinking dohc), with your sohc you are more than likely experiencing a lifter issue, that is if you are sure it is in the valvetrain and not the timing chain dragging.
Modified by deviousKA at 10:15 PM 12/26/2005

[A34D4ME]

Timeing chain was replaced recently. Sure did sound like a stuck lifter and the car has been sitting a lot - damn snow.

Anyway, I'll be doing a cam soon, I guess I should replace the lifters too.