blindrummer Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 85 GL Hatchback 1.8 OHV 142,000 miles just started making a loud knock thats coming form the drivers side head it was only making the knock upon start up and the first 10-20 min of driving but now its constant??? my friend said maybe needs valve adjustment??? does any one know if this EA81 engine has hydraulic lifters??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indrid cold Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 (edited) Take a rag with a light dash of degreaser and clean the grease off the side of the valve cover. Look for a sticker that says, "Valves need no adjustment" or something to that effect. They put the stickers on the newer engine which I thought came out in 85?..... but not sure.... as for the knocking it does sound like Hydraulic lifter kind of thing. If you suspect Hydraulic lifters making noise, use some Sea-Foam through the engine to help un-stick the lifter if that is what you have. If it still knocks I would remove valve cover and take a peek and check for any sign's as to why it is knocking.. This is a simple thing to do before something really brakes. Call local parts place for gasket. If cork, cover in Grey High Temp RTV, let dry and install. .02 cents Edited December 20, 2008 by Indrid cold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 i don't believe you have adjustable valves, they are HLA's. i would go with frequent oil changes for now and possibly some "treatments" like sea foam (excellent stuff) or marvel mystery oil. whatever you do, keep changing your oil regularly and often. the HLA's don't do well with dirty oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindrummer Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 o.k. the valve cover does say to not adjust valve clearances i will run sea foam and then change oil is this engine on its way out??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[HTi]Johnson Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 If it's anything like the EA82 tick, no, it's not on it's way out. I've got thousands of miles on an engine that sounds like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindrummer Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 no it had the usual subaru tick but this is much louder and only on the driver side head its constant now but was only making noise at start up and first 10 min car is not being driven until oil change and engine treatment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indrid cold Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 (edited) Try the sea-foam, some right in the oil and carb, run it till it stops knocking... shouldn't take long. I think the can says to run for a day/couple day's in engine oil then change oil. If that doesn't do it I would pull the cover and take a look to see if something has come undone. They are bullet proof engines. Anything 280,000+ is getting old. Edited December 20, 2008 by Indrid cold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.