i have an 86 subaru that is clicking like mad. the oil pressure also seems to be a bit low. what does anyone think about the clicking, could it be a lifter or exhaust leak??? thanks

It's a very common problem. It's usually the hydraulic lash adjusters- HLAs- (the lifters). You can usually fix it by putting in a quart of marvel mystery oil and running it for a while at 4000 to 5000 rpm.

Could also be a bad oil pump or oil pump seal. A bad seal would cause the ticking. It lets air get sucked up into the engine and it will make the engine "tick".

Hah this must be the season for the TOD (Tick of Death[light emphasis on death]).

 

Ok, if it is coming from one side of your engine and the area of one cylinder, I'd bet it's a lifter. And you should change your oil to some cheap and light weight kind and substitute a quart of oil for a quart of marvel's mystery oil and run it fairly hard, not too hard for a while, the sound should go away. What this does is clear up and sludge or debris that might be blocking the oil ports. Once the sound goes away, do an oil change again with your normal oil.

 

If it is coming from both sides of the engine, I'd say it's an oil pump problem...but check your oil filter, it may have collapsed (cheap ones do that). You can replace the oil pump seals, but when you are in there, check for any scaring of the aluminum from the brass(i think it's brass) gear.

 

Keep us updated.

So if the engine is ticking and it's getting air in it, does that mean insufficient oil is getting into the engine and it's gonna eat itself up??? I will check if it is one side, or both tomorrow. thanks.

Could also be a bad oil pump or oil pump seal. A bad seal would cause the ticking. It lets air get sucked up into the engine and it will make the engine "tick".

 

this is the most common. no harm in the short term. but the gasket should be changed.

 

cleaning out the lifters can help sometims too.