What do these terms mean?

[Gracie]

I got a car that I wanted to buy checked out. In the report it says this:

- Repair cause of excessive engine hydraulic lifter noise- tapping noises of idle rpm.

What does this mean?

also ....

-Replace front brake dis pads- inners' worn approx 75%. Machine or replace disc rotors after thickness measurement. (I get the first bit, but what are disc rotors?

There is also a bit of an oil leak.... these are common right? (read frm previous posts)

TIA !!

[onnzo]

Hydraulic lifter noise is the tick tick ticking when you start up the car... Is it a gr or gpx model?

If it is a gr they use hydraulic tappets which you can take out and clean or replace. To replace all of them would be about $500 a set + labour

If it is a gpx - you can get them adjusted.

Disc rotors are the shiny metal circular discs that the brakes calipers clamp down on. The one behind your wheels.

Mike

[Gracie]

Thanks Mike...

Its a GPX model.... What would be the approx cost to get these things fixed? and how serious is the problem? or is it quite common?

[smorison]

noisy tappets in a GPX normally just means it needs a service... do you know when it was last serviced (in km's)

if it was recently then the problem is more serious...

definately givejohn at UAS a call

[Gracie]

umm, not good, I called UAS just then and they said to adjust hydraulic lifters is quite labour intensive (takes about 8 hours to do!!) and the job would cost $800-$1000

[RichardH]

Ah, that sounds like an "I don't want to do that horrible job at Christmas" price!

Keep ringing around, until you find an old style mechanic/engineer with "the touch" when it comes to valve clearance adjustment. Not many garages see jobs like this any more, as most cars run hydraulic lifters.

Just be aware the job needs a "special tool" to reach the wotsits down inside the engine thingumy. That's tech talk.

I'm sure other people will come back with different mechanics they've used.

The local RalliArt place here charges around $300 for this job, as I recall. He's done many, many GPX valve jobs by now, so he could probably do it in his sleep by now. That's in Perth, though!

Good luck...

- Rich

[Gracie]

Hi Rich, thanks for that, I'll ring around to see. Another place quoted $2000!

On a web site when i did a search for hydraulic lifter noise says

"A ticking or sort of extremely rapid tapping sound often means there isn't enough oil and the hydraulic lifters in the valve train are making a noise"

Could it just be the oil? or does it really need to be fixed?!

[smorison]

Hi Rich, thanks for that, I'll ring around to see. Another place quoted $2000!

On a web site when i did a search for hydraulic lifter noise says

"A ticking or sort of extremely rapid tapping sound often means there isn't enough oil and the hydraulic lifters in the valve train are making a noise"

Could it just be the oil? or does it really need to be fixed?!

yeah that why i asked about the last service on the job... the process is quite a long and boring process... the good news is that GPX lifters are adjustable if it is a clearance issue... GR/GX ones often have to be replaced... (24 * 70 just for the lifters)

[FTO338]

Hi Rich, thanks for that, I'll ring around to see. Another place quoted $2000!

On a web site when i did a search for hydraulic lifter noise says

"A ticking or sort of extremely rapid tapping sound often means there isn't enough oil and the hydraulic lifters in the valve train are making a noise"

Could it just be the oil? or does it really need to be fixed?!

Yeah i agree with Rich, $300 is about right for adjusting lifter, so for $2000 i hope his doing some serious modification on it too...

[Gracie]

I just rang Peter Pilkington at SCI and he says about $88/hr and a 4 hr job usually... which sounds more reasonable!

He also said no parts needed, which is alright.

[RichardH]

Good.

While they are in there doing stuff, consider the following:

* Inspect/replace spark plugs in rear bank. Platinum plugs are standard.

* Inspect timing belt.

* Inspect the 2 drive belts.

I'm saying "inspect", but if you have long service history, you can gauge exactly what needs replacing and when. I just find it a lot more convenient to get the above done in one hit while a qualified mechanic is already going to be face-down in the engine bay for hours.

If you want suggested intervals for these sorts of things, I chucked a little XLS up that tracks the main component replacement schedule. It's in the news list at www.ftowa.com. I need it myself because I can't remember a damn thing any more these days, hehe. Not too long ago, I got a garage to replace all four brake rotors on my VN... then asked them to do it again 9 months later!!

Hmm. Come to think of it, that means a set of near-new rotors are still boxed up in my shed somewhere!!! I should flog 'em. duh....

- Rich

[pagan]

lol richard you crack me up, partly coz your a funny bugger, and partly coz i cant remember the last time i did anything to the car. i mean i know i recently, like a couple months ago, took it for something... for the life of me i cant remember what? such a fool.

oh and great work on the diagnostic thingy, i printed it out and gave it to a mate who is an auto elec... mostly systems these days but did the whole range few years back. he hooked it up and put a switch on it, so now i can diagnostic check my car when ever i feel something isnt right WOOHOO, cheers mate.... oh and it came back with error 64 over and over again... reason for my Mivec problems, alternator FR something or other. more expenses so yeah, thanks richard, thanks a bloody lot mate like i havent spent enough this month on damn gifts

[payaya]

if your not willing to go for a clean first, or not technically minded get them replaced, its like fighting a lost cause with the GR lifters.

Fresh oil and additives do work at the start but over time, nothing can stop those buggers from tapping.