Just started a few weeks ago. The ticking noise comes and goes and now it's pretty consistently most of the time. It's the 94 loyal wagon...1.8 fuel injection with power steering/brakes and a/c. Any ideas on what I can do short of a rebuild?

welcome aboard! we can help with your EA82.

 

ticking EA82's are no big deal, most likely it's not your valves. have you changed the oil and filter recently?

 

it is probably your Hydraulic Valve Lash Adjusters = aka "lifters". they tick for a couple reasons and some extremely common reasons.

 

if it is the HLA's (very likely), then this noise doesn't pose any problem except to your insanity. two options:

 

1. turn the radio up and ignore it.

2. reseal the oil pump:

 

miles, overall condition of vehicle, past maintenance, how often oil changes done, how long have you owned it...etc????

 

based on the limited information you gave us my guess is the oil pump needs resealed. the gasket between the block and the pump gets compromised.

 

this involves removing the timing belts so if you want a reliable vehicle, but the $60 ebay timing belt kits and replace everything.

 

the EA82 has 3 oil pump parts to reseal the oil pump - and o-ring a seal and the mickey mouse gasket.

I Agree, Absolutely, Specially This Advice:

 

...2. reseal the oil pump. ...

 

Welcome Aboard! ... Let me Tell you that a Subaru Loyale is Considered as "Old Gen" even if it is '94 Model... So I Suggest you to Post about it in the Older Gen of Subarus Forums.

Best Regards!

Thank you both...a relative dropped it at my door about six months ago because he knew I liked my 87 soob dl wagon so much. He had basically driven it into the ground and thought I might like a project car. I've been bringing it back to life since then. It has 275k+ miles and he changed the oil maybe twice a year. It seems to drip a little but doesn't seem to burn any. Still have to replace the front struts and figure out why the heater kicks out so little heat. I'm going to try a proper cooling system flush for that problem. The oil pump seals sound like a pretty good suspect for the lifter noise problem. Glad to hear it's not doing any real damage. The oil fill cap does have a little foam on it lately. Would a seal problem (letting in air) cause that to happen? I'll try posting in the section for older soobs. Oh and yes I have changed the oil twice in the past three months with a new subaru filter each time. Thanks again!!

Edited January 11, 200917 yr by sushisan87