Big Jim - I know you've been around the block a few times (I see your expertise in many threads) but I have to disagree with you here, hopefully gently and respectfully. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

A "sticking lifter" is a hydraulic lifter that is not freely compressing and extending. Rather it has compressed the internal spring, but either the lifter is "gunked" or has a burr or other damage that prevents the oil pressure and spring from "re-extending" it. Since the lifter/pushrod is now slightly too short, it sounds like "ticking" when cold. Frequently these lifters will "unstick" once the engine warms up, either because the metal-to-metal clearance has increased so it can slide again or because the sludge that was sticky has become less viscous.

Now that I've attacked you, here's the caveat: I've personally experienced this phenomena in pushrod v8 engines (specifically Ford 289s and 302s) but I haven't been inside my 2.5 I-4, so I don't really know what the valvetrain looks like, where the lifters are, and if they're hydraulic or mechanical!

So, maybe this information is meaningful to these engines, maybe not! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> I just had to defend myself! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />