Horrible EJ22T Clacking

[TheSubaruJunkie]

I know its common for the lifters to tap. But this seems exessive. It recently started. I dont have a oil pressure gauge so I have no idea what its at. There's no oil light on tho. I checked the oil for or 5 times and it always said it was full. The other day i checked and it was low, so i filled it. That solved the clicking for about 20 miles. As soon as I got to my destination the clacking was back. That was last night and now it seems louder.

Is there a place i can tap into the pump to install an aftermarket oil gauge? I'd like to add a boost gauge as well so if anyone has any suggestions that'd be great.

Thanks guys
-Brian

[vrg3]

If the oil was run low before, maybe you have air in the hydraulic valve lifters. You may need to bleed them.

About installing the gauge: http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=15527

[TheSubaruJunkie]

I did an oil change, and it was still clacking. So I took it for a drive to the Gas station... got there, and it was still clacking.

So on the way home from the gas station, I hammered on it. Screamed through the 1st four gears on the on-ramp, and made it home in record time. Got home, and the clacking has stopped.

We'll see if it does it again tomorrow. I think it was just crying out for attention. I think i will drain some of the oil and add MMO (Kragen was out ) then drain it all and do another oil change later to make sure all the gunk is out.

-Brian

[evolutionmovement]

Unlikely, but could it be a rod bearing?

Steve

[TheSubaruJunkie]

No, this was definatly valve clacking. This is the 9th Subaru ive owned, and the 4th or 5th one that has had Hydrolic valves. I'm used to the clicking, but when I could hear it over my exhaust i know things are wrong. Its all better now. Drove it to and from work, and still nothing. Im still going to do another change with a FHI filter and something light like 10w30

-Brian

[vrg3]

If you have air trapped in the lifters, oil changes alone can't fix it completely.

I haven't done it myself, but apparently you can check the lifters by taking off the valve covers and pressing on each lifter with your finger. If you can press them at all then there's air in there that you're compressing.

Apparently you just have to remove the lifter and push it in and out while holding it submerged in motor oil to get the air out of it.