How To Quiet A Noisy Lifter

Beginner Info, Soundproofing

how to quiet a noisy lifter
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In this post, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step methods that will help you to quiet noisy lifters.

Furthermore, I’ll also talk about the products that you’ll need to get rid of noisy lifters.

Noisy Lifters FAQs
Can noisy lifters cause damage?

How to quiet a noisy lifter?

What is the best product to quiet noisy lifters?

How much does it cost to fix a noisy lifter?

Well, if you’re the one looking for an answer to the aforementioned queries, then stay with me, I’ll share with you all the required pieces of information that will help you to make an informed decision.
Does it sound good?

Since you’ve landed on this post, I’m assuming that you’re well aware of what lifters are. In case, you aren’t, then keep reading, I’m gonna talk about lifters. Hydraulic valve lifters aka lifters are a sort of tiny cylinder that is attached to one end of a rocket arm. Rocket arms are popularly known as pushrods. This is the junction where it meets the valve.

Do you know what a lifter does?

Well, the purpose of a lifter is to enhance the performance as well as ensure a long & healthy life of the engine.

Moreover, lifters also play a crucial role in keeping your engine quieter.

So, if your engine is making a wayward noise, then a lifter may be the culprit.

  A faulty lifter will always make unnecessary noise. 

What Causes Lifter Tick?

Unfortunately, it is a common problem in cars, and quite a good number of car owners have to suffer from it.

  Mostly older cars and also the cars that have large mileage are prone to such problems.  

Even though you own a new car, if you are not taking it to the service center on a regular basis, then be ready to face the problem of lifter tick.

Lift tick as such doesn’t have any time duration.

It may last for a couple of minutes or in the worst case, you may have to bear it till the motor is running.

A faulty lifter either produces a ticking or a tapping noise, but when the noise becomes continuous, it leads to irritation and annoyance.

Have you ever observed the sound created by the tapping of water from a leaky faucet?

It may seem simple to you until it annoys you, right?

The repeated sound can be quite irritating at times.

Ignoring the irritating noise of faulty lifters for a long time may lead to some REALLY serious problems in your car.

You may be astonished to know that it may cause your car’s engine to be damaged permanently.

So, what’s the solution?

  As promised earlier, I’ll be sharing four common things that might be the cause of noisy lifters, and at the same time, I’ll also be sharing the steps that you need to follow to fix the noisy lifters.  

But, before that, allow me to walk you through the potential danger that it can cause, and also how harmful it can be.

Can Noisy Lifters Cause Damage?

I hope you’re well aware of the fact that noisy lifters can produce several types of noise.

In short, it can be ticking, tapping, or clicking.

And, the duration of the noise can vary from a few seconds to the time the engine is working.

In case, you’ve any doubts, feel free to ask us in the comment section.

I’ll be more than happy to assist you with your query.

While deciding on the harmful impact that a noisy lifter can create, you need to keep track of two parameters; type & duration of lifter noise.

The simplest of all the problems caused by a noisy lifter is the simple tapping noise for a few seconds after you switch on the engine.

This kind of simple noise depicts that specks of dirt & mud have accumulated somewhere in the car’s engine, and it is interfering with the lifter’s normal functioning.

For the aforementioned problems, you don’t need any professional help.

Simply clean the lifters with some high-quality oil additives, and I hope the problem will be resolved.

However, if the tapping and ticking noise continue for a longer period of time, then there is a high probability that the problem is quite serious, and the noise will NOT go away by simply cleaning the noisy lifters with oil additives.

I would recommend you, seek professional help to prevent the escalation of the problem.

In case, you’re ignoring the noisy lifters, then it may lead to permanent damage to your car’s engine in the long run.

A serious problem can occur because noisy lifters will interfere with the performance of the other parts of your car’s engine.

The worst part of the noisy lifter is that it can damage some components of the motors, and fixing those components can cost you far more than fixing lifter noise.

So, next time you hear noisy lifters, try to solve the problem at the earliest to prevent huge financial loss.

Well, the reason why I’m highlighting the noisy lifter escalation is that I’ve been the victim of it not once but thrice 🙁 

How to Quiet a Noisy Lifter

Moving further, I’ll walk you through four simple steps that will help you to quiet a noisy lifter. It is highly advisable for the newbies to follow these steps in the sequence. The good news is that all these steps are budget-friendly and serve the purpose.

Changing the Oil

A car’s motor is NOT different than mechanical parts and engines when it comes to maintenance and lubrication.

The selection of good oil is very important when it comes to lubrication.

An engine or a motor if not lubricated properly can hinder the car’s performance, and at times, can also raise the maintenance cost.

If lubrication is not done properly then it can cause a lifter tick sound because of the metal parts coming in contact with each other.

If you’re the one ignoring the tapping & running for too long, then it may lead to the accumulation of too much sludge and dirt in the engine.

Do I need to say what will happen next? 🙂

These specks of dirt and sludges will hinder the further lubrication of engine parts.

  To prevent the aforementioned problem, you need to lubricate the engine with the right type of oil.  

I would recommend you to find the right gradation of oil for your car’s engine.

Now the question arises, “How do choose the right oil for your car’s engine?”.

Well, it’s not as difficult as it sounds.

Check out the video: It will help you to get out of the dilemma.

Did the video serve your purpose? In case, you still have some doubts, then feel free to ask us in the comment section.

Cleaning Car’s Lifters with Oil Additives

I’ve mentioned previously in this article that by cleaning the lifters with oil additives, you can stop the simple tapping in your car’s engine that occurs when you start the motor.

For the optimum result, my advice would be to not only clean the car’s engine but also, to clean rockers and valves.

By doing so, all the specks of dirt & sludge accumulated inside the car’s engine will be safely removed.

Don’t worry, these oil additives will not change the viscosity of the oil that is used in your engine.

Personally, I have used oil additives on a regular basis for a couple of years now, and you know what, it has saved me quite a few bucks.

So, the choice is yours:)

 As a soundproof consultant, I’ve handled a good number of cases related to noisy lifters, and I can say with confidence that in most of the cases, the noisy lifter problem can be easily solved by getting rid of the accumulated dirt in the engine. 

So, the question that comes to my mind is, “How to clean the engine’s lifters with oil additives?”.

What better than this video to know more about the cleaning process?

  • Can you guess the products that were used?
  • Well, the good news about these products is that they are highly affordable, and even though you’re on a shoestring budget, you can give it a shot.
  • I highly recommend these products.

Adjusting Your Lifters

  • Till now, I’ve been blabbering that you need to change the oil to get rid of the noisy lifters.
  • But, what if, changing the oil doesn’t make any impact?
  • Yes, you can ask me this question, right?
  • Before we try something else to get rid of the noisy lifters, I would request you to change your car’s oil to the right one, and also, to remove the accumulated engine specks of dirt using good oil additives.
  • Once you are done with the above steps, and still, they are still squeaky, then you need to perform some other steps.
  • Yup, you GUESSED it RIGHT, you need to adjust the lifters.
  • In order to adjust your lifters, you’ll need a few things such as a feeler gauge. (Check the Current Price On Amazon) It will be used for rocker arm and valve stem purposes.
  • In the next step, you’ll need to correct the clearance by adjusting the valve adjustment screw.
  • Before taking any action, I would highly recommend you check the manual.
  • To prevent the lifter from becoming faultier, it is highly recommended that you should follow the correct factory setting for the adjustment.
  • To make things simple and easier for you, I’m sharing a self-explanatory video that will help with the necessary information about adjusting your lifters.

  • Feel free to contact me in case of any doubt or query. 
  • What if, the problem still persists?
  • Well, we’ve something else that we can try.

Replacing a Bent Push Rod

Surprisingly, this is the final solution 🙂 that I’ve for you.

I pray that you won’t be reading this and that your problem will be solved by following the aforementioned steps.

However, I can’t change anyone’s fate, and it goes without saying that someone must be in need of the piece of information that I’m gonna discuss now.

Do you agree with what I say?

Especially for the newbies, it is REALLY important to understand the functioning of the pushrods.

Well, the pushrods of an engine work by opening & closing all the valves present in the engine.

Any doubt?

If for any reason the pushrods are bent, then it may end up causing ticking & tapping sounds.

  So, what is the most common reason for the pushrods bent?  

Most of the people go heavy on the accelerators in an attempt to drive fast leading to the bent in pushrods.

Unfortunately, once the rod is bent, you can’t do anything but change the rod.

Unlike the aforementioned methods where you don’t need professional help, in this case, I would recommend you to take your car to a professional because it’s a complicated process, indeed.

The entire process is NOT only time-consuming but also quite tough.

Will you believe I’ll say that the process may take up to 6 hours even for the hardcore professionals?

In the rare of the rarest situation, you don’t have any other option, but to go with it.

Are you thinking about the cost involved?

Well, I can’t tell you the exact cost, but I’ll try to help you with a rough estimate.

Does it make sense?

The price of each part is somewhere around $20, and in addition to that, you need to pay for the labor cost.

Nonetheless, this is the only way to fix the bend rods.

However, the probability of facing this problem is quite rare.

A word of advice: Fix the problem before it’s too late. Ignoring the noisy lifters for a long time may put you in a situation where you don’t have any option, but to change the entire engine.

We’ve discussed all the methods that can help you to get rid of the noisy lifters.

Nonetheless, it is equally important for me to educate you about the best oil additives for noisy lifters.

The motive behind it is to help you to make an informed decision.

However, before I walk you through the various aspects of the noisy lifters, allow me to share some mind-boggling articles related to sound-deadening a car.

Best Oil Additives for Noisy Lifters

Moving further, I’ll walk you through the various aspects of the best oil additives so that you can make an informed buying decision.

Meanwhile, I would request you to bear with me since the post is gonna be a bit longer than expected.
Nevertheless, I’ll try to the best of my capabilities to make this post highly informative.

Liqui Moly 20004 Hydraulic Lifter Additive

I started driving the car at a very early age, and like many of you, I also had to tackle the problem of noisy lifters.

In fact, thrice I had to replace the bent push rod which was definitely not a good experience.

Nonetheless, it’s always advisable to select an oil additive that will serve the purpose.

why should I buy?

Liqui Moly 20004 Hydraulic Lifter Additive is my first preference when it comes to narrowing down on the best oil additives for noisy lifters.

I can assure you that a little bit of additive is more than enough to get the oil working.

One of the reasons for the Liqui Moly’s popularity is its ability to increase the lubricating properties of the oil.

Unlike many other oil additives, it cleans the oil passage as well.

With my experience with Liqui Moly 20004, I can confidently vouch that this hydraulic lifter is great for valve bores as it NOT only cleans them but also, keeps them in top shape.

Believe me, it works.

Whether it’s valve tapping or ticking noise, this oil additive will completely deaden it.

During an epigrammatic span of time, you’ll find a tangible difference.

Definitely, the engine will become quieter making your drive fun.

Some of my clients have hydraulic tippets in their car’s engine because their vintage vehicle requires extra care.

A lack of proper maintenance can lead to annoying noise while driving.

You may be astonished to know that using Liqui Moly 20004 on a regular basis can keep the engine young and far from the irritating noise.
This oil additive performs extremely well with gasoline & diesel engines.

You can use it even though the engine features turbochargers.

In any circumstances, this additive works great with the engine oil.

  This oil additive is perfect when it comes to a long drive. It has the capacity to handle almost 2500 miles. 

You can use this oil additive with all types of commercial engine oils.

The performance of this oil additive is superlative when it comes to tackling engine noise caused by hydraulic tappets.

You can also use it in vehicles that have catalytic converters.

Without any element of doubt, I can say that Liqui Moly 20004 is the best oil additive for a high-mileage engine.

How would you rate the Liqui Moly engine oil treatment review?

(Check the price on Amazon)

Honest feedback is well appreciated.

Marvel MM13R Mystery Oil

The closest competitor of Liqui Moly 20004 is none other than Marvel MM13R Mystery Oil.

why should I buy?
It is one of the best oil additives for noisy lifters when it comes to cleaning the inside part of the diesel engine.

Fuel injectors and carburetors are the two things on which it works.

I hope you’re well aware of the fact that the problem with the injector is that it can be clogged, and as a result, carburetors can build up sticky residue inside.

The Marvel MM13R helps you to get rid of such problems by lubricating & cleaning them.

In the context of the carburetors, the two parameters that need to be addressed are gums and varnish.

Varnish dries the inner part of the engine whereas gum prevents the lifter from moving properly.

So, it is equally important to get rid of these problematic things.

An excess of gum can force your car’s engine to slow down or even stop in case the quantity of gum is more than a manageable amount.

Nonetheless, the engine gives you a hint by producing annoying noise.

You can easily get rid of the annoying noise by applying MM13R.

It washes away the gum and the varnish coating off.

Needless to say, ignoring the noisy lifters can lead to severe complications.

Are you aware of the stickiness on the valves left by the engine oil?

These sticky valves are the core reason for the engine of your car to not perform as per its capacity.

If you own a truck, then the intensity of the problem may be on the higher side.

Your engine has to waste a lot of horsepower (HP) to keep the valves rolling. 

Well, now you know the severity of the problem, right?

MM13R is one of the best offerings from Marvel.

It can help you to get rid of the stickiness.

Are you inquisitive about how the MM13R gets rid of the stickiness?

First of all, it thins the sticky oil residue left on the valves.

Secondly, it prevents acid or sludge from building up inside the engine walls, and thus, prevents decay.

Within a month you’ll experience a tangible drop in the oil cost once you start using this oil additive with your engine oil.

The Marvel MM13R prevents engine oil from breaking down under extreme temperatures.

In other words, the engine oil won’t evaporate rather it will maintain its efficiency.

These oil additives work as a catalyst when you’re in a need of cold start.

Needless to say, Marvel MM13R Mystery Oil is the best oil additive for sticky valves.

Especially it is a boon for people living in cold regions.

Try Marvel MM13R and I can assure you that you’ll never regret investing in it. (Check the current price on Amazon)

BestLine 853796001049 Premium Synthetic Engine Treatment

BestLine is a trusted brand when it comes to hunting for the best additives for noisy lifters.

Especially for gasoline-dependent engines, BestLine is a brand that you can overlook at all.

The good thing about BestLine 853796001049 is that it helps in reducing harmful smog (smoke+fog) that comes out of the exhaust pipes.

I don’t know any oil additives that have the capability to completely eradicate harmful emissions.

However, it came as a surprise to me that BestLine additives can smog down by 60-75%.

You don’t need to pour this additive into a huge quantity.

In fact, I would recommend you pour just a tiny bit of this oil additive inside the engine before pouring the engine oil.

By doing so, the internal parts of the engine are protected against over-exertion.

The idiosyncratic thing about the BestLine oil additive is its ability to prevent friction between the engine parts & the diesel engine oil.

It goes without saying that this product is one of the best additives to quiet engine noise.

It cuts down on the maintenance cost in the long run by putting a halt to the wear & tear of the engine parts.

Have you ever thought that less friction between the engine parts translates to less noise?

So, let’s sum up the benefits of using this oil additive.

  • Reduction in the friction
  • Less tear and wear of the engine parts
  • A tangible reduction in the emission of harmful gases
  • A decrease in maintenance cost
  • And, of course, a silent engine

In simple terms, you’ll save hell lot of money because all the aforementioned factors will lead to decreased use of engine oil.

I recommend to my clients to use this oil additive in such a way that it constitutes 10 to 15 percent of the total engine oil. 

Will you agree with me if I say BestLine 853796001049 is the best oil additive for diesel engines?

To avoid any sort of complication, you can add this additive when you are changing the engine oil.

(Check the customer review)

TriboTEX Oil Additive Car Engine Treatment

Bigger is not always better.

The TriboTEX oil additive car engine treatment is a tiny yet effective one.

why should I buy?
It’s a superlative product and uses nanotechnology in the form of nanoparticles to clean the car’s engine from the inside.

It’s a USA product.

Furthermore, its use is not limited to automobiles but it works well with trucks & tractors.

NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the US Department of Energy have come on one platform to develop these nanoparticles.

In fact, TriboTEX oil additives are used mainly for improving the performance of turbine’s performance under windy & demanding conditions.

These oil additives are compatible with almost all types of diesel & gas engines.

I’ve personally used these additives, and I can tell you with confidence that they literally sync well with almost of types of engine oils available for purchase.

So, you should not worry about the types of engine oils.

  Since NASA was involved in the making of the nanoparticles, it would be interesting to know about its working style, isn’t it?  
Unlike its counterparts, it forms a coating carbon around the engine’s bearing and thus protects it against tear and wear.

You may not be aware of the fact that the additional layer helps in the longevity of lifters by cleaning the gums.

In short, it has the capability to reverse the tear and wear.

Brands like Ford and BMW use TriboTEX to reduce the noise level of the lifters as well as bearings.

Are you aware that oil additives have two sides: sleeky & sticky?

Once it is poured into the oil, the sticky side comes into action and attaches itself to the engine components.

Once you’ve completed the 500 miles of driving, things will start changing.

The nanosheet will come into play and it will pour Tribofilm that lubricates the internal parts.

As a result, the engine will need less oil to function.

Once you’ve applied this product, sit back & relax, the rest will be taken care of.

Anyone can evaluate the performance of this product.

But, wait it will take time.

You’ll find a noticeable difference at the end of the year when oil expenses will come down.

Was I able to make my point?

You may be wondering, I didn’t talk about the types of engines that are suitable for this additive, right?

The engine that uses 4-8 US quarts/liters of oil is the one you should consider for this oil additive.

In layman’s language, a mid-sized engine is the one that you should target.

Should you worry about the performance?

Undoubtedly, this is the best oil additive for BMW and other similar brands.

Absolutely NOT.

One-time engine oil with this additive will give you 40,000 miles of driving on the road.

(Check the current price on Amazon)

Bar’s Products Rislone Engine Treatment Concentrate

The Bar’s products Rislone is a close competitor of TriboTEX.

why should I buy?
The USP of this product is the instant impact that it creates on the engine parts.

You don’t have to wait for a second after mixing this additive with the engine oils to make things rolling.

The moment it comes in contact with the engine oil, it starts showing its true color, of course in the positive sense.

My son is a great admirer of Rislone.

His car was making an irritating noise because of the sludges present inside the oil passage.

It didn’t take even a minute for the Rislone to clear the oil passage from sludges after pouring it into the engine oil.

Not only does Rislone reduce the tapping noise of the hydraulic system but it also lubricates the lifter parts.

If you’re wondering if Gum and varnish may create a problem, then let me tell you, it enhances the lifter’s efficiency by dissolving them.

 Many of Rislone’s close competitors have a problem removing the aforementioned things from the valves. 

Without taking the name of the brand, I can say with confidence that it wasn’t able to remove the rings clogging up the oil passage.

Moreover, Without any doubt, Rislone is one of the best oil additives for oil consumption as it easily cleans the oil passage.

You can expect it to clean things without obstructing the oil passage in any way.

Don’t overthink & worry, I feel privileged to share with you that it works equally well with trucks and tractors.

Unlike many other best oil additives for engine burning oil, there is no restriction as such on adding it to the engine oil.

So, is this the best oil additive for your car?

I’ll be more than happy to know your take on this additive.

Just for your information, Rislone is a unique additive that’s formed with non-reactant substances that aren’t toxic to your engine’s material.

Again, the same old question, What quantity should I put in the engine oil?

A single unit of Rislone is good for 4-6 quarts of engine oil.

However, if you’re dealing with a larger engine, then the industry standard is to use one unit of Rislone for every five quarts.

Moreover, the same doesn’t hold true with old & dirty cars.

Well, I’ve got a question for my readers, “Which is the best oil additive with zinc?”

Bonus Tip: Change oil after every 100 miles and add Rislone to the mix.

You’ll need to double the dose for the optimum result.

(Check the current price on Amazon)

FAQs

  • I would be taking some of the frequently asked queries from my clientele.
  • Furthermore, I hope it will help soundproofing enthusiasts & newbies.
  • In case, you’ve any doubts or queries related to the noisy lifters, we’ll be more than happy to help you clear your doubts.

Which is the best oil additive to stop engine knocking?

  • Well, most of the good quality oil additives are capable of stopping the engine knocking. However, I would list down my top three favorites.
    • Sea Foam SF16
    • Archoil AR9100
    • Liqui Moly

Which is the best oil additive for older engines?

Liqui Moly

Which is the best oil additive for BMW?

I’ll vouch for TriboTEX.

It’s A Wrap

  • I’m hoping that the next time you’ll definitely listen to the engine’s sound and take action accordingly.
  • Most of the time, the problem aggravates because it isn’t addressed properly.
  • I always request my clients to listen to their cars, if it has a problem it will tell you.
  • Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced chap, I hope this piece of information will help you to tackle the noisy lifters.
  • Being said that most of the noisy lifter problems can be easily fixed by following the steps mentioned in this post. So, which are your favorite oil additives for noisy lifters?
  • Did your favorite oil additive make it to the list?
  • Your honest opinion about this piece of information is highly appreciated.
  • I’ve tried to the best of my capabilities to bring to you the best oil additives and their purposes.
  • So, are engine oil additives good or bad? 
  • Last but not least, share this piece of information with the ones who are looking for similar information.
  • After all, sharing is caring.