Hey all, My 3.2SOHC has 110,000 on it and the ticking has gotten better since I started using 10w-30 Valvoline maxlife and Lucas @ every oil change. But I can't help but wonder if part of the problem is lubrication. On cold days sometimes it will tick like hell for awhile, if I give it a few good revs it stops. Sometimes if I'm going slow and I hear it, I'll get on it a little and it goes away. After operating it for awhile it will come in and out regardless of temp. I'm sure the lifters are bad and honestly I'm just going to change the engine in about a year but I wonder if there's insufficient lubrication that's the prob. Any thought's?

P.S. any reco's for engine swap? I'm on the fence: 98-99 3.5, 95 3.2DOHC or 96 3.2.

The ticking isn't lifter noise since the SOHC 3.2L V6 doesn't have any. The ticking is caused by the valve lash adjusters not fully extending due to varnish build up inside the adjusters. Revving the engine simply causes an increase in oil pressure thereby forcing the valve lash adjuster to extent "fully".

Ask about valve ticking on the mitsu board, they all tick. They have the same style lash adjusters. Mitsu eventually came out with replacements with larger oil ports which helped but they would still start ticking again. Just get used to it. I could tell when mine was a quart low on oil by the sound of the ticking because of the pressure drop. I never needed to check the dip stick, just listened.

Glad isuzu went to shim and bucket on 2nd gen rodeos. First time in 15 years I havent listened to valve ticking. Never have to worry about adjustments on hydraulic lash adjusters though.

Mine does the same on really cold mornings, usually only for a few seconds. It seems to do it most when it's time to change the oil. I use mobil 1 5w-30 and any filter but fram.

I would switch to 0w-30 or 5w-30 with a good oil filter, and no lucas stuff. Do a search and find out lots on the topic.

In the middle of my second AutoRX treatment I'm actually getting some relief from this. I'm hopeful that it's more than wishful thinking: Ticking has been constant for about two years, now all of a sudden (last two weeks) I've noticed instances when ticking starts while driving or idling, which means it had been running quietly.

I was not expecting AutoRx to fix this specific problem but I guess it's plausible. The root cause is varnish buildup in the hydraulic lash adjusters, which is just what AutoRx is designed to remove. Probably the blockage doesn't need to be complete in order to cause ticking, so if any oil at all was getting through the cleaner would be put in contact with the offending gunk.

Also: Search out posts by Ramblin' Fever. He talked about a complete remission after a couple of rounds with Rotella 5w-40.

One more thing, in case you haven't already heard this one: Is the tapping REALLY LOUD and sensitive to engine speed? If it stops at about 2,500 RPM it's probably the timing belt tensioner.

AutoRX huh? Let me know how that works out I may try it. Lucas has seemed to reduce the prob but I bet an engine change would fix it even more <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.
You are right about the timing belt tensioner. That was the first thing I R&R'ed. when I bought it.
Tom

Give up on Lucas, etc. and switch to Mobil1 0W30. The 0W30 can be hard to find. I've been using the easier to find Mobil1 0W40 (aka European Car Formula) for about 10K now and it seems to be working great.

I'm not positive but I belive the 95 V6 Troop has a DOHC and is much better about engine noise. That's one of the engines I'm thinking of using. Thanks.

TOM UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED TO DO A LOT OF WIRING CHANGES THE 96 SOHC ENG WILL NOT WORK IN ANYTHING OLDER THAN 96 , AND THERE WAS NO DOHC IN 96, 95 WAS THE LAST YEAR AND THEY WERE VERY RARE , ONLY IN THE LIMITED EDITION IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, ANY WAY THE CRANK SENSOR SETUP IN THE 96 IS FAR AND AWAY DIFF THAN ON THE 95 ENG, YOU HAVE A 7 NOTCH RING IN THE 92 --95 AND ON THE 96 THEY WENT TO COIL ON PLUGS AND A 57 TOOTH TONE RING ON THE CRANK AKA OBDII SYSTEM, THE ENG WILL BOLT RIGHT IN AND HOOK RIGHT UP BUT IT WON,T RUN . SO BE CAREFULL ABOUT THE YEAR OF YOUR REPLACEMENT ENG JERRY

Excellent point Jerry, which is why I was thinking of buying a crashed veh and robbing the electronics too. Just seems like a waste to install another SOHC just to await the ticking <100,000 mi.later. I thought I remember you saying somthing about a DOHC that wouldn't be too much trouble. Otherwise I'm thinking 98-99 Trooper 3.5 or a V8. Still not sure and still have some time to gather info. I've got a post on this http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showf...&sb=5&o=&fpart=1
If you care to contribute I'd certainly appreciate it. Thanks all.