Ok...I grew up on cars...but this is the first I havehad with the hydraulic lifters....I am gettin a tapping sound in the valve train on the rear bank. How would I diagnose a stuck lifter? it is more prominent at cold idle, but still presant when the car has warmed up.

If it is a lifter whats the proceedure for un-sticking or replacing????
can capable of doin about most things on a car....just lookin for some guidance and ideas here.....Thanks guys.....

I am thinkin it might be cylinder 6 as when I last changed the plugs 6 was lookin a lil oil fouled, but not too bad. the rest were showing signs of a clean burn, and I am not sure, but at times it seems like the car MAY be down a cylinder.....again...not 100% sure there either.

Thanks Again

AJ

AJ, it sounds like you are a more experienced mechanic. I Do Suggest You Try Some Lucas Upper Cylinder Treatment. My Customers At Autozond Swore By It. Supposedly NHRA pros too. 1 3.5 oz bottle to 20 gals. But Double Or Tripple The Concentration. Have Heard It Works Wonders. Kris

Keep in mind, this may be a possibility.

An upper cylinder treatment through the fuel system will only help clean the valves in the fuel system. It will not help much in the lubrication system (Lifters, bearings etc.)

What sort of oil pressure is it running? If you have worn bearings you will also see low oil pressure.

You can determine which cylinder it is by a sound check. Either buy a stethescope for cars ( it is like a doctors, but has a long rod on the end) or just get a long screwdriver and hold it to your ear and poke around the heads and see if you can hear where it is coming from.

You can also try adding a 1/2 qt of transmission oil to your crankcase. Sometimes the detergent of the fluid will free it up and unstick it.
If that doesn't work, you may have valvetrain wear that has taken all the preload out of that lifter.