How to Clean Sticky Lifters

Pushers noise may result in several different problems. Sometimes the problem stems from a worn cam lobe or a bent rod. Settings inadequate pushers as well as physical damage lifter bodies are also guilty. Many technicians agree that one of the major causes of valve train noise are sticky valve lifters caused by mud as a result of poor maintenance. Cleaning sticky valve lifters is not a difficult thing to do after removing them from the engine.

Things You’ll Need

  • Phillips screwdriver or modified Pushrod
  • Small standard screwdriver
  • Solvent
  • Small round stiff bristle brush
  • Wipe Portable Air Compressor Motor Oil

Instructions

  1. Place the lifter on a desk, with pushrod seat up. Compress the elevator pressing down the push rod seat enough to remove the retaining ring until pushing off its seat with a small screwdriver. Use an old rod or Phillips screwdriver, which has had the point removed and rounded Phillips head over to compress the lifter.
  2. Slowly releasing the compression pressure in the riser to ensure that the pressure of the spring inside the elevator does not cause the elevator to disassemble quickly dispersing parts.
  3. Clean all parts of the elevator, soaking in a solvent cleaning motor and washing with a small, round, stiff bristle brush. Rinse the solvent out of the lifter parts with water, and dry all parts thoroughly with a rag and / or compressed air from a portable air compressor.
  4. Lubricate all parts of the crane by immersion in engine oil before reassembling the elevator.
  5. Reassemble the crane, following the instructions of the crane, or workshop manual of the engine manufacturer.
  6. Perform a leak down test with a proper leak down tester to ensure that the oil does not flow out of the lifter too fast. If oil leaks out of the elevators at too high a rate, the hydraulic pressure in the push rod and the valve, resulting in poor lubrication internal lift and decreased engine performance is lost. Follow the tester manufacturer’s instructions to ensure compliance with appropriate test procedures, and that the elevators are performed within the manufacturer’s specifications. Replace defective lifters with new ones.
  7. Repeat for all sticky lifters.