nanotech wrote:Bought a can of Subaru engine cleaner today and gave it a whirl. sadly it didn't fix the tappet sound, though a lot of black crap came out my exhaust.
After giving the car a drive before and after applying the engine cleaner, it has made a difference. Nothing grand or exciting but it does feel like the engine has a little less struggle under load and revs a tiny bit free-er now.
That said, I have to fix this lifter noise, the car is sounding shocking. It used to do this only on start up but now it's constant. Doesn't matter how long you run the car, STILL hear 'tappatappatappatappa' and I'm getting absolutely sick of it.
Any suggestions? I don't have the money for anything major like replacing lifters etc sadly. Will be taking it to my brother to look at in the next week or two I think.
If I had've read this in time I would have told you that the Subaru upper engine cleaner trick isnt as effective as the ATF trick, after cycling the ATF through the engine try the Nulon treatment.
IF...and I say IF you need lifters, check the parts prices on Kia Shuma/ Spectra/ Mentor (or whatever else it was called) lifters, the same engine parts for them as well (they used Mazda engines) should be cheaper, well in theory anyway.
The other thing...when was the last time you did an oil change? ALSO...how much oil is in it now? Those 2 things also count as well.