ticking??

ok now that i been driving my svx as a daily driver im so nervous of blowing something and paying out more $$$$ to keep her alive...this past week she started ticking lightly about the same time it snowed anyone else have this problem with there svx in cold weather?? is it normal?? my moms 98legacy ticks like a time bomb and it only has 35k miles on it so im thinking its a subaru thing but my 94 legacy never made a noise...man im nervous of this sound anyone know how to cure this??

Jim

[svx_commuter]

Hi Jim
There is the ticking from the fuel injectors that will always be there. Then there is valve lifter tapping that can be worse when the engine is cold and goes away when the engine warms up. I have used synthetic oil in the winter to help this. I have also been adding a 1/2 qt of Marvel Mystery Oil in place of oil with each oil change. I think this helps to clean the passages to the lifters. I also think the noise comes from not getting enough oil into the lifter when it's cold and that is why it taps. The hot oil flows easier and that is why the tap goes away when it warms up.
The grade of oil is important. I use 10W-30 in the SVX but if it was going to be colder I would use a 5W-30 synthetic.

[immortal_suby]

Mine was ticking on and off - about once a week it would tick. I tried marvel mystery oil but it came back.

I tried some of the motor flush oil treatment that beav recommended about 2 months ago and it has not come back since. I don't remember what brand exactly but it was some stuff you put in before an oil change, run the car at idle for 2 minutes, then change the oil. Worked great so far.

Mine started about two years ago when I brought it out of 4-month storage. It is not from low oil pressure or fixable with thicker or thinner oil. I also tried a couple of engine treatments for noisy lifters to no avail. Such a nice car, but I am so embarrassed when people walk by when I am idling, or when driving slowly. I believe I will have to change out a lifter or two. I am not sure I'll know a bad lifter when I see one...
Let me know if you cure it.

[svx_commuter]

Hi Joe Give the MMO a try before your rip the engine apart. I have been using a 1/2 qt of MMO in place of a 1/2 qt of oil for the last 5 oil changes. That's the last 5 months for me
I also do not know how to tell if a lifter is bad.
In any case I hope it is a lifter and not a wrist pin noise.

I'll try some and get back to you. Thanks.

svx_commuter:
Tried MMO and ran it for two days. No change. Looks like it's teardown time.

[dcarrb]

Originally posted by JoesSVX
svx_commuter:
Tried MMO and ran it for two days. No change. Looks like it's teardown time.

I don't know, man. Subaru engines tend to be a bit noisy by nature. I don't think I'd go tearing it down unless the tapping you hear is clearly localized or really loud.

dcb

It's LOUD. Sounds like a diesel.
Has for almost two years now, since I took it out of short term storage.

SVX engines are not noisy by nature. They are different from other Subaru engines in that respect.

Mike

[dcarrb]

Originally posted by Green1995SVX
SVX engines are not noisy by nature. They are different from other Subaru engines in that respect.

Mike

Yes, the 3.3 is clearly a cut above the 1.8 and 2.2 to which I'm accustomed.

dcb

[Earthworm]

Is it possible your flexplate is cracked or broken?