How do I check lifters? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

CamaroEMC · 06-18-2019, 05:14 PM

Spent last weekend racing my 2SS at Road Atlanta. No major issues except my clutch pedal getting sticky at times when really hot.
Long story short, I have a noise that sounds like a header leak (whoosh?) at higher RPM, but more of a knock/tap sound at idle.
Thinking maybe a lifter? Or maybe a header leak, but not sure what would have caused that, since it has been fine on many other track days.
Oils temps at times were close to 300, so maybe oil can be the culprit.
My plan is to do an oil change, then listen for the noise. If still there, I want to pull the valve cover off and investigate further. Beyond looking at the springs, rocker and push rods, how can I check for a bad/stuck lifter?

BigMatt · 06-20-2019, 09:39 PM

Look for a loose rocker or a broken spring. Other than that,pull the heads and replace the lifters if nothing obvious jumps out at you from pulling the valve cover. 300 degrees is some pretty hot oil.

CamaroEMC · 06-21-2019, 02:22 PM

Ya, I think it peaked at around 275-280 for oil temp. I changed the oil, and the noise persisted. I will be pulling valve covers today. Here's hoping for a loose rocker.

If I have to pull the heads, and replace a lifter, should I do all of them? Or just the faulty one? I really hope that if a lifter stuck, that it didn't wreck my cam.

eLeSthree · 06-21-2019, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroEMC

Ya, I think it peaked at around 275-280 for oil temp. I changed the oil, and the noise persisted. I will be pulling valve covers today. Here's hoping for a loose rocker.

If I have to pull the heads, and replace a lifter, should I do all of them? Or just the faulty one? I really hope that if a lifter stuck, that it didn't wreck my cam.

OEM lifters are only $100 per set. Might as well replace all the lifters on that head at least. A collapsed lifter won't wreck the cam, but a crushed lifter wheel might.

BigMatt · 06-21-2019, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroEMC

Ya, I think it peaked at around 275-280 for oil temp. I changed the oil, and the noise persisted. I will be pulling valve covers today. Here's hoping for a loose rocker.

If I have to pull the heads, and replace a lifter, should I do all of them? Or just the faulty one? I really hope that if a lifter stuck, that it didn't wreck my cam.

Yes change them all if pulling the heads. Also send the heads out to be ported while they're off.

06-18-2019, 05:14 PM	#1
CamaroEMC Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Moncks Corner, SC Posts: 12	How do I check lifters? Spent last weekend racing my 2SS at Road Atlanta. No major issues except my clutch pedal getting sticky at times when really hot. Long story short, I have a noise that sounds like a header leak (whoosh?) at higher RPM, but more of a knock/tap sound at idle. Thinking maybe a lifter? Or maybe a header leak, but not sure what would have caused that, since it has been fine on many other track days. Oils temps at times were close to 300, so maybe oil can be the culprit. My plan is to do an oil change, then listen for the noise. If still there, I want to pull the valve cover off and investigate further. Beyond looking at the springs, rocker and push rods, how can I check for a bad/stuck lifter? __________________ 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS BMR Subframe connectors BMR front and rear swaybars BMR SPrings with Koni V2 shocks TSP Cam build tuned to 482 rwhp

06-20-2019, 09:39 PM	#2
BigMatt 2010 Camaro 2 SS/RS M6 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: May 2009 Location: Clayton Delaware Posts: 1,218 View My Garage	Look for a loose rocker or a broken spring. Other than that,pull the heads and replace the lifters if nothing obvious jumps out at you from pulling the valve cover. 300 degrees is some pretty hot oil. __________________ Forged LS3, FED M311 heads, CAI Inc, ARH 1 7/8, Corsa Xtreme, Taylor Wires, MGW Shifter, Street slayer twin carbon clutch, Tick braided clutch line & speed bleeder, ZL1 Diff Swap, BMR Split drop, Sway Bars, Trailing Arms, Toe Rods, Pro bushing kit, Carslyle racing 15in conversion, Whipple, LPE dual fuel pumps, Rx catch can, Id1300x, Alky Control

06-21-2019, 02:22 PM	#3
CamaroEMC Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Moncks Corner, SC Posts: 12	Ya, I think it peaked at around 275-280 for oil temp. I changed the oil, and the noise persisted. I will be pulling valve covers today. Here's hoping for a loose rocker. If I have to pull the heads, and replace a lifter, should I do all of them? Or just the faulty one? I really hope that if a lifter stuck, that it didn't wreck my cam. __________________ 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS BMR Subframe connectors BMR front and rear swaybars BMR SPrings with Koni V2 shocks TSP Cam build tuned to 482 rwhp