Tap tap tap tap! W126

[forcefed44]

Subject: Euro 85' 380SE

What would constitute the replacement of the lifter? I picked up this one after having major top end work done via the previous owner at a stealership. The car did sit though for 1.5 years without starting and developed this ticking. Besides the ticking noise which I am expiriencing, I may have to replace a couple but I pulled a few off a worked pair of heads as well as ordered a couple new ones. The lifters that need replacement, are they supposed to be hard to compress or squishy? Hence knowing which ones to replace.

[Lexxani]

I sure cant compress mine without a spring compressor If they are squishy and easy to compress there lies at least one problem.

[forcefed44]

Well with a thorough check, my cams are well as well are the rockers. I may check my Valve/rocker shims. Therefor you are saying that the new and good lifters (ball studs) are supposed to be hard to compress?

[t walgamuth]

I would try an oil change with Mobil 1 10 w 30.

I had a tapping in my 84 500 sec that mobile one took care of instantly.

Tom W

[forcefed44]

I'm way past oil changes, 2 since I purchased the car less than 3K ago just to see if it's a stuck lifter. No deal. I pulled the valve cover off the R/S cylinder bank and inspeceted the cam lobes no premature wear as well as the rockers and they appear well. (Chain, wheels, rails, and tensioners are new). I just do not know the difference between the a good lifter over a bad one.. Squishy or hard to compress being good or bad. My new lifters didn't get here yet and the newer lifters pulled from the spare heads have both squishy and hard to compress ones...

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by forcefed44

I'm way past oil changes, 2 since I purchased the car less than 3K ago just to see if it's a stuck lifter. No deal. I pulled the valve cover off the R/S cylinder bank and inspeceted the cam lobes no premature wear as well as the rockers and they appear well. (Chain, wheels, rails, and tensioners are new). I just do not know the difference between the a good lifter over a bad one.. Squishy or hard to compress being good or bad. My new lifters didn't get here yet and the newer lifters pulled from the spare heads have both squishy and hard to compress ones...

What kind of oil did you use? Does the ticking continue at all times or does it stop after the car warms up?

Mine would tick for about ten minutes and then quit. After switching from rotella to mobil one it stopped. Thinking it was cleaned out I switched back to rotella and it immediately started ticking again. Back to mobil one and it stopped.

Tom W

[ctaylor738]

The official test is to press hard on the rocker with the heel of a hammer, with the valve fully closed. If it moves at all replace it. If you can feel any play, you may need a thicker shim (aka hockey puck).

A Search will turn up a lot of posts on this.