Hello everyone,, I have a '95 impreza with a 1.8, 5 spd.  When I got it the engine was very noisy, (valve noise). I checked the lifters and the 4 intake lifters on the drivers side were collapsed. I replaced them with new lifters and it was quiet till I drove it about 15 miles, then the noise was back. When I pulled the rockers again the same 4 lifters were collapsed and the lifter bores were empty of oil. The lifters on the exhaust side are fine.  I'm stumped, if anyone has had this problem, or seen it,, what is the actual problem?? Seem to be oil supply, but I don't know for sure. I do know the oil passages in the rockers are open. Thanks in advance

Replace the discharge o-ring between the oil pump and the block. 

GD

Thank you for the reply.  does the leaking oring limit the oil to the head?? The reason I ask is because the lifters go dry, but just the top ones.  thanks again. 

 

Who knows? Could be the o-rings between the block halves, could be a blockage somewhere like inside the rocker assembly or the head. But are you really going to pull down a 1.8 to fix this? Replace the oil pump discharge o-ring. If that doesn't fix it throw the engine in the scrap and get a 2.2 for it.

GD

I have a good running 2.2 sitting in the shed, but it has a automatic behind it and wasn't sure if it would fit, my 1.8 is 5 spd.

 

New update. I pulled the oil pump this afternoon, and the oil discharge port was half blocked by a large gob of what looks like ultra grey, and the oil pump back cover had one screw backed out.

And now you know why I told you to do that. 

GD

And I thank you for the info. The pump was scored a little, so I'm replacing it. Question,  if the hole was half way plugged would it limit the oil to the lifters??

 

I have another question general D,, I can't seem to get the 4 new lifters pumped back up,, I'm pumping them while they are in clean oil, but it don't seem to work.  Is there a trick, or will they pump back up when I get the new pump installed??  thanks again.

 

They will pump back up in operation. Replace the o-rings on the OD of the lifters. 

The hole being half plugged limits the flow of oil to the entire engine. Including the lifters. 

GD