Author Topic: How to test lifters? (Read 3135 times)

josephb983 · « **on:** March 11, 2008, 03:20:16 AM »

How can I check if my lifters are bad on my M42?

Cobra Jet · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2008, 07:56:29 AM »

Remove the valve cover. Disconnect the spark plug wires at the coils. Have someone turn over the car using the ignition key (with sprak plug wires disconnected at the coils, the car will NOT start). While the person is turning over the car, you can view each of the lifters. When looking at the lifters, you want to make sure that each lifter is pumping up/out oil evenly. If you see a lifter that is not pumping oil as evenly as the others or it's not pumping out any oil at all, it's most likely in need of replacement. You may also be able to hear some lifter noises, such as if they are sticking, etc. All lifters should pump up/out the oil evenly and without any issues.

Another way of finding a bad lifter is to look over the rockers. If a rocker arm has play in it, the corresponding lifter could be bad. You can also remove the lifters and on each one, press down on the center/inside of the lifter and if it can be depressed over 1/8 inch easily and feels really springy the lifter is bad and in need of replacement.

nomad · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2008, 08:44:32 AM »

No rocker arms on the M42 BTW.

bmwpower · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2008, 08:48:22 AM »

Quote from: nomad;44538

No rocker arms on the M42 BTW.

I think he's thinking Ford 302....

josephb983 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2008, 10:41:29 AM »

How much does it cost to repair the lifters, assuming all of them were bad?

Asserti · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2008, 10:43:02 AM »

I cranked the engine once without the valve cover installed....

You can still see the oil spots on the floor :s

josephb983 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 11, 2008, 11:45:58 AM »

Quote from: Asserti;44562

I cranked the engine once without the valve cover installed....

You can still see the oil spots on the floor :s

this wont happen if the spark plugs are disconnected... will it?

josephb983 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2008, 08:45:15 PM »

From a private message Cobra Jet sent me, answering the question:

Quote from: josephb983

With the valve cover off, will cranking the engine over with the starter (spark plugs disconnected) cause a mess? Oil splatter etc?

Quote from: Cobra Jet

Hi!
Nope, it will not cause a mess. The only way a mess will occur is if you forget to disconnect the spark plug wires from the coil and the car actually starts up - BIG MESS... With the plug wires disconnected at the coil, there is no spark to the engine, the engine will just "turn over". If you wanted to examine the lifters at a slower pace, you could also get a friend to manually turn the crank at the front of the engine, rotating it 1 revolution and you should see lifters pumping oil that way as well. Even if you do the manual hand cranking method, still disconnect the spark plug wires at the coil packs.
Phil

Thanks for the info!

josephb983 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2008, 08:51:11 PM »

Quote from: Cobra Jet

If you wanted to examine the lifters at a slower pace, you could also get a friend to manually turn the crank at the front of the engine, rotating it 1 revolution and you should see lifters pumping oil that way as well.

I actually already manually turned the engine over, but when I did I didn't see oil flowing anywhere. The engine had not been run for a couple days though, before hand cranking it. Is it important that the engine be run shortly before doing this test manually?

josephb983 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2008, 08:57:38 PM »

Also, for the lifter test, should I have the spark plugs installed in the cylinders, or should I remove them completely?