This is a follow up to a previous post. To recap, i have a 2000 sunfire with the 2200. I got it for 800 dollars because it was making a loud ticking noise. The first thing i did was pull the valve cover, and i noticed that the #1 intake valve rocker arm had about a Quarter inch of play in it. The rocker was in good shape and torqued to spec, and the pushrod was straight. So then i tore down the motor and pulled the head, and pulled out the lifter (after a considerable amount of frustration, as it did not want to come out). When i got the lifter out, i was shocked by what i found. About a third of the roller on the lifter is gone, its flat on the bottom. Looks like it froze up and was grinding on the camshaft. It even got into the bearing, and all the needles from the bearing are floating around in the engine. The lifter bore is ok (we checked it with another lifter). The surface of the camshaft looks a little scuffed and dulled, but surprizingly does not have any grooves or appear to be worn down. My question is, 1. Has anyone ever seen this before, and 2. Could i get away with just changing the lifter, or do i need to pull the motor and replace the cam?
Adam Cousins wrote:My question is, 1. Has anyone ever seen this before,
no, but that doesnt mean that it's not possible...
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and 2. Could i get away with just changing the lifter, or do i need to pull the motor and replace the cam?
that depends. how much do you like being stranded with a siezed engine? do it right, do it once.
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It even got into the bearing, and all the needles from the bearing are floating around in the engine.
Even if the cam is somehow still ok & is reusable.. it sounds like all the bearings should be replaced.. (cam/crank/rod).. otherwise you may have a bearing get chewed up pretty quickly form the debris that were circulated around in the engine.
Now if you don't care about the motor (which Im doubting since you are trying to repair it), you could always do ur best to flush it out with fresh oil and hope that it's enough... just don't be surprised if it seizes up on you.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edited Tuesday, April 20, 2010 12:44 PM
The most likely reason for a lifter to fail is lack of lubrication. (Ifters run
under extreme pressure due to tension from valve springs)
I would suspect that at some time this engine has been run low on oil.
Instead of tearing down the engine to examing the internals for other
damage a quick look is to remove and cut apart the oil filter. Inspect
the filter media for accumulated metal particles.
well heres the thing, i can get a running motor with 40,000 miles from a junkyard for $550. just the liftter, headbolts and head gasket is like $75. the motor in the car has 117,000 on it. How much would i have in this motor with a new cam, all new lifters ($20 dollars a freakin piece for those damn things), all new bearings, headbolts, and gasket set? If i am going to do all that, wouldnt i be further ahead just to get the junkyard motor?
