Hey guys I have a 01 alero with the 2.4 quad 4 that is such a pleasure to work on. I have removed the lifters after driving around with a tick for 2 weeks but all my lifters seem to be stiff and I can't compress them I always thought when a lifter went bad it collapsed and you could compress it with your hand. Is there something I'm missing or some help I can get on how to check my lifters to tell if they are good or bad. I also have a groove/crevice inside of where the lifter sits I was wondering if that could cause a lifter tick and if that could be my problem

the lifters expand and contract by oil pressure its tough to tell out of the car if its bad or good. is there any wear on the cam or lifter (where it touches the cam)?