Valvetrain noise?

[Ron in SC]

I just drove my friends 1985 300D Turbodiesel back to Charleston from Tennesse where he bought it.

When the engine is under load there was not valvetrain noise at all, but when I would lift the accelerator pedal very slowly in order to slow down just a little or very lightly feather back the accelerator pedal I could hear a faint clatter, for lack of a better word, maybe kind of a tapping. Oil pressure according to gauge remained pegged at 3 bar. Oil level was not below low mark on dipstick.

I'm not sure this is valvetrain noise but thought it might be. Could it be a sticking lifter?

In any case what is the most likely source and what action should I take? We both have a bunch of cars but I'm the one who works on them.

[tangofox007]

Originally Posted by Ron in SC

I'm not sure this is valvetrain noise but thought it might be. Could it be a sticking lifter?

There are no lifters to stick in that engine.

[SD Blue]

Check your air cleaner mounts.

Check the bracket for cracks, rubber mounts and their heat shields, and don't forget the o-rings on the bottom of the separator.

[Ron in SC]

Check your air cleaner mounts

My inspection of the car found it needed a bunch of parts including the air filter mounts you mentioned, the ones on the car were completely separated. The filter housing is just sitting on top of that little metal tube with the completely worn out o-ring. Here's a list of what I ordered in the way of parts so far.

Driver side door seal
Rear door check strap
Front door check strap
Front brake pads
Front brake rotors
Rear brake rotors
Rear brake pads brake
Set of windshield wipers with blades
2 front shocks
2 rear shocks
2 OEM motor mounts
1 OEM transmission mount does not have oval tube in it
brake fluid 5 liter container
AT filter kit
4 engine belts ie all of them
3 oil filters
1 fuel filter
1 fuel pre-filter
EGR backpressure filter
air cleaner mounts
air cleaner filter
power steering filter

Can anyone think of anthing else that might be worn out or maybe in need of service?