tappet noise

[John Murfet]

I have a '96 Liberty (Legacy) and have had major tappet noise. This is
apparently the only Subaru with hydraulic lash adjusters. At first I
replaced the offending adjuster then next day the new one was noisy. I got
another one from the dealer then this one gave up. It doesn't seem to matter
if you swap them around one will always lose pressure a couple of hours
after manualy loading them with pressure and re-install.
Hope one of you guys can help. The dealers don't know.

 

[johninKY]

My guess is the oil pump is loose and/or the block to pump gasket needs
replaced. This problem is very common with the older EA82 engines. First
time I have heard this problem with the 2.2 but the symptoms are the same.

 

[Bill Pelka]

http://endwrench.com/images/pdfs/LoyalInfo.pdf

Endwrench is a Subaru Pub that has a lot of info in an archives section on
their home page. Check out that link.

Bill

 

[S]

Hi John!

I have a '96 Liberty (Legacy) and have had major tappet noise.

You've probably already been there, but just in case:

Didja check the oil passages in the rocker/rocker shaft for debris? If
that's all clean -n- nice, look to the oil pump.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[Rick Courtright]

I have a '96 Liberty (Legacy) and have had major tappet noise. This is
apparently the only Subaru with hydraulic lash adjusters. At first I

Hi,

The EA-82 engines had hydraulic lifters and tappet noise just "came with
the territory." Lots of things seem to help, though no one solution does
all, but perhaps your engine will respond to some of the earlier
"fixes." In addition to the suggestions you've gotten, the O-ring behind
the oil pump has been implicated, supposedly for letting air into the
system. While I'm not sure that's what's REALLy happening, many have
experienced "relief" by replacing that part (which means digging in all
the way, so might as well plan on doing t-belts, all the other engine
seals, maybe a water pump while you're in there.)

A less invasive method that's also helped some is to use a cleansing oil
additive like Rislone or Marvel Mystery Oil. These have been discussed
frequently in the past, and again have produced mixed success.

Good luck!

Rick

 

[John Murfet]

Thanks Rick and everyone I'd better get the pressure checked and then start
on the gaskets, pump etc. I may clean and then try some thicker oil first
to see what happens.