I am working on a 1.8L engine from a 1988 GL, non-turbo, no air, overhead cam.

 

Am inspecting the slack adjusters; the book says to immerse them in oil, "pump up the hydraulics" (does that mean just push down on the plunger several times?), and then set the adjuster upright on the table. Push down on the adjuster plunger, and if it moves more than .5mm, replace.

Just how critical is this measurement? All of the slack adjuster plungers move 1-2mm. Should I just replace all eight?

Thanks.

VERY critical. If they don't hold pressure they will tick. Have them rebuilt. There are links around here in older posts to places that will rebuild them for less than $10 each IIRC. Also if they are worn like that it generally indicates a problem elsewhere in the oil system - such as the o-ring between the cam carrier and the head, the oil pump seals, or a weak oil pump.

 

GD

The best way to "service" the HLA's is to soak them in ATF and work them back and worth in the ATF. ATF is a high detergent oil/fluid that seems to work well to cleaning the sludge/dirt/grime out of the Lashers. Rule of thumb with them is within 10 pumps up and down they should start hardening up and stop being spongey. I might be off a few on the numbers of pumps but it doesnt take many for them to stiffen up.

 

I personally have never cleaned the ones in any of the engines in my own cars. I've always found engine reseal took care of the ticking issue. the 3 oil pump o-ring/seals and the cam case o-rings always seemed to be the issues with the ticking. It allows air to enter the oil and makes the HLA's tick like crazy

 

And no, they dont all need to be replaced.. try what I suggested with ATF and if they stiffen up after cleaning them, they are probably good. Check the camcase to cylinder head seam on the bottom side and see if there is oil leaking there. if there is, thats probably whats making your engine tick