I get what sounds just like a sticky lifter sound when my engine warms up. I have added a few "products" (like Marval mystery oil) but it is still there. does anyone know a good product? Is there a chance this is a slipping sleeve? Engine runs great otherwise.

 

try some seafoam in the crankcase...

 

You don't need to put in more products, you need to open up/test the engine then fix the problem before it becomes too expensive.

 

For most who have posted about it the ticking starting at a warmed up temp leans toward the sleeve. If it goes away with revved up and then comes back at idle that also points to the sleeve, it is believed that the sleeve can't move as fast as the piston at higher rpm. There are posts about pinning the sleeve.

You can also listen to the valve covers with a stick or stethoscope and narrow it down. Once you take off the valve cover you can examine the rocker arms, etc. Even run the engine at idle (some oil will move about) and press on suspect parts with a wooden board.

 

The ticking in my 02 always starts after warm up and I can't confirm if it goes away at higher rpm because of the whining from the alternator.I do know it did get louder after switching to Rotella and it goes away when I turn the volume on the radio up.

 

it the ticking from the top end or the bottom? that should be easy enough to figure out

 

Drowssap: I can't tell, I am guessing it is coming from the top. It is the classic "American V-8" valve tick when you have a sticky lifter. Since I have never heard a Rover sleeve noise, I was not sure.

poncePR: I did just switch to Rotella!

Mike:I agree that I don't want to mask a problem but I did own an Audi that I had to periodically add a detergent to the crankcase to quiet a lifter and if it is varnish build up??
Buzz: don't you have to take the intake manifold off to get the valve covers off?

 

add some seafoam to the crankcase cheap test for a sticky lifter...drive it for a week change the oil if nothing else it will flush out any crap in there....

 

That's just pure comedy! LOL

 

take a stick or long screw driver rest on end on the valve cover and the other end on your ear. Any noise will be transfer up the stick or screw driver to your ear, do both valve covers than the oil pan. If you hold the screw driver handle to your ear just right it will block out most of the back ground noise.