Possible Lifter issue

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rgallant
Cylinder bore
Posts: 463
Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2017 12:38 pm
Location: Mission

Possible Lifter issue

#1 Post by rgallant » Sun Jul 13, 2025 10:55 am

So my Disco (2004 Discovery II) hit 300000km and has decided to grace me with a new intermittent noise. It appears to be a loud lifter tick, it increases with rpm, disappearing at about 700 -750 rpm.

The truck run fines and other than an occasional low temp code has no other codes or issues.
I am running Castrol 10/40 plus a shot of ZDDP, oil was changed in late November oil is golden; however, I did run Royal Purple HPS 10/40 prior to this last oil change.
Oil pressure at idle and 174f is about 20 psi 660 rpm, rising to 45-50 psi at 2000 to 2500 rpm

The noise typically (when it appears) shows up at idle after getting up over 180F running temp for some time.
My normal temp is 174f, 177 running the ac on the freeway in the current ambient of 30F outside temperatures.
The noise is easily heard with the window down, I can not hear it with the window closed.
It is a very noticeable metallic tap on the left side, it sounds to be at the top of the engine rather than the bottom. As rpm increases it turns into the "normal" sound of a lifter tick.
I heard it when stopped against a concrete barrier, accelerated, then let the disco coast to a stop with the window down, the tick did not return.

My suspicion is I have a partly clogged, failing or sticky lifter, there could be a possible rocker arm issue but it does not read that way to me.

Does anyone have any other suggestions ? I am about to have a kitchen and floor reno starting, so I do not have a lot of time to tear into things. I would love to take into a shop for diagnosis but it has to wait until after the reno

Gordwedman
Half Shaft
Posts: 131
Joined: Fri Feb 15, 2019 7:44 pm
Location: Chilliwack

Re: Possible Lifter issue

#2 Post by Gordwedman » Sun Jul 13, 2025 1:49 pm

rgallant wrote:So my Disco (2004 Discovery II) hit 300000km and has decided to grace me with a new intermittent noise. It appears to be a loud lifter tick, it increases with rpm, disappearing at about 700 -750 rpm.

The truck run fines and other than an occasional low temp code has no other codes or issues.
I am running Castrol 10/40 plus a shot of ZDDP, oil was changed in late November oil is golden; however, I did run Royal Purple HPS 10/40 prior to this last oil change.
Oil pressure at idle and 174f is about 20 psi 660 rpm, rising to 45-50 psi at 2000 to 2500 rpm

The noise typically (when it appears) shows up at idle after getting up over 180F running temp for some time.
My normal temp is 174f, 177 running the ac on the freeway in the current ambient of 30F outside temperatures.
The noise is easily heard with the window down, I can not hear it with the window closed.
It is a very noticeable metallic tap on the left side, it sounds to be at the top of the engine rather than the bottom. As rpm increases it turns into the "normal" sound of a lifter tick.
I heard it when stopped against a concrete barrier, accelerated, then let the disco coast to a stop with the window down, the tick did not return.

My suspicion is I have a partly clogged, failing or sticky lifter, there could be a possible rocker arm issue but it does not read that way to me.

Does anyone have any other suggestions ? I am about to have a kitchen and floor reno starting, so I do not have a lot of time to tear into things. I would love to take into a shop for diagnosis but it has to wait until after the reno
I have one of those stethoscope devices if you want to borrow it to try and localiser the noise. Lifters are not expensive and pretty easy to change on that engine. Do you have to devote every hour of your day to your renovations?

Sent from my SM-G996W using Tapatalk


rgallant
Cylinder bore
Posts: 463
Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2017 12:38 pm
Location: Mission

Re: Possible Lifter issue

#3 Post by rgallant » Sun Jul 13, 2025 2:49 pm

@gordwedman Right now yes I do, but when you are back give let me know and I will borrow it.

Gordwedman
Half Shaft
Posts: 131
Joined: Fri Feb 15, 2019 7:44 pm
Location: Chilliwack

Re: Possible Lifter issue

#4 Post by Gordwedman » Sun Jul 13, 2025 7:24 pm

Hi Richard
I came back yesterday so that I could watch the football game today. Call me Monday when you would like to pick it up, 604 999 8373

ANDYD
Defender of the World
Posts: 3075
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2004 10:45 pm
Location: Sunny Steveston BC

Re: Possible Lifter issue

#5 Post by ANDYD » Mon Jul 14, 2025 2:06 pm

Hey Richard,
I had a very similar noise on my RR that was a cylinder liner. It’s typical for a liner to work loose on high mileage engines, they are normally quiet when the engine is cold and start slipping and ticking once the engine warms up and things start expanding a little.
Just a thought in case it’s not a lifter.
Andy

rgallant
Cylinder bore
Posts: 463
Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2017 12:38 pm
Location: Mission

Re: Possible Lifter issue

#6 Post by rgallant » Mon Jul 14, 2025 5:06 pm

Yea I had that thought too Andy, but liner tap would be consistent. This is just painful,at the dump it started to tick a tiny bit louder. Over the course of 15 minutes I was there idling the tick mostly vanished, and I was running 186F engine temp.

It really reads like a gummed up lifter.

I am checking out Lr3/Lr4's just in case though

Ajjay.S
Crank Case
Posts: 127
Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2021 11:18 pm

Re: Possible Lifter issue

#7 Post by Ajjay.S » Mon Jul 14, 2025 6:27 pm

You can have my LR4 if you want 😉

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