Well thanks to all the help from all you Mitsy owners my Monty is running well after having ecu rebuilt,but lately I have noticed a ticking sound coming from drivers side valve cover,one mechanic said it was probaly the timing belt but checked belt and although it seemed a little loose it looked to be in great condition.Anybody have any clues to what be could going on and what I can do to check this problem also it does not do it all the time.

Still relatively new to the Monty's myself, but with a similarly built 3.0L V6 in my 89 I just rebuilt, I read that the valve lash adjusters (lifters) will sometimes do this if they have little or no oil on the miniscule ports they have. If you have sludge, etc under your covers making it difficult for oil to circulate around the adjusters and actually get inside, this could cause your mild ticking. Apparently it's supposed to go away after a short time and oil has had a chance to cycle through the lash adjusters. If the ticking doesn't go away for awhile, you may have permanently clogged oil passages or bad lash adjusters. Mine had started to go bad and this was found during reassmebly prompting me to locate new units. My old adjusters had been badly worn and scarred and required replacement.

I've heard on a good engine lash adjusters will do this too if it's sat for "awhile".

If the ticking doesn't go away, I'd consider a head job, check and replace lash adjusters in combination with new valve stem seals (a must for 3.0L's every 60, 80 or 100K miles or so).

While the heads are off, mights as well replace that timing belt (even if it LOOKS good) and get a new tensioner.

Piece of mind for another 60,000+ miles is what it'll get you.

MI-Mitsu

What weight oil are you using?
What oil filter are you using?

Good quality oil filters have anti-drain back valves. These prevent the oil from draining back thru the filter when the engine is shut off.

Too heavy a weight oil can also cause valve ticking.

Sparky101,

My '91 does the same thing, even after replacing the lifters, etc. I think it is a much deeper problem. It sounded to be coming either lower in the head or even in the block with the stethescope. Maybe not? I dunno. My smooths out when I use the engine rev method to get the oil circulating again. It runs fine otherwise. It sounds super smooth when that sound disappears but is really really annoying when it is clicking, ticking, whatever.
I figure I'll drive it until it dies or until I get money to rebuild/ replace the engine. I've had a couple of people comment on it, likely in hopes that I would give them an arm-and-a-leg to find and alleviate the problem.
I wouldn't worry about it other than to change your lifters and oil weight as has been mentioned here, and then only if you just really want to tinker. I only replaced the lifters because I was replacing the valve stem seals to stop smoking.

I may eat these words someday but we'll see.

Good luck.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Sparky101, be sure to add your rig details to your signature so people know what you have and can better help.

As for your ticking, the comments above on the VLAs could be your ticket. Check out this tech article.

I've had a startup ticking valve lash noise since new. In Alaska it was particularily noticable in cold weather. Here in NC I also had it but for a shorter time after startup. My oil has always be pristine clean. Since I have switched to synthetic 0w-40 oil I have not had any valve lash ticking, even in cold weather. Maybe changing grades might help.

I have a 90 as well with 240,000 miles on her. It will occasionally tick and as you've seen in the other reply there is some good info bout this. As to when mine ticks I use it as an indicator that I need to get around to changing the Oil. I tend to use 10w30 or 10w 40 oils I also put in a can of CD2 (V-8 Size) in with each oil change. I've had my truck for around 4 years and when I got it ticked bad and I changed the oil two times inabout 2 weeks. Since then it has been much better. I think it just needed to be cleaned out a bit. Over all this truck has definately been one of the best I've ever had! (And one of the cheapest!) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

sasnydley, what is CD2? I will guess that it reduces the viscosity of the oil so that it can flow more easily into the lash adjusters. The addition of CD2 may be offsetting your use of 10w-30/40 weight oils.

no it does not change vicosity

sasnydley, this link on CD2 FYI.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/for...1&an=0&page=0#Post471041