The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

My L series with 250+K clicks is making the classic timing clicking and ticking noise whilst running, mostly when cold. Am I right in thinking there's bugger all I can do about it ? I've not done heaps of mechanical work on Subies, my experience has been with older stuff mostly.

Mine was the same, bit the bullet, replaced the lifters and no tickety tick.
Not a hard job either, just go slow and don't muck up your cam timing - mark everything!

Yeah replace your lifters and the oil pump seal (known as the mickey mouse seal)

Whole set will set you back less than $400

four hunnerd !?!

ouch, that's like 45% of the cost of the whole car..

methinks it can keep ticking, till in stops...

the inner CV's are a higher priority anyway, heard the first clicks of death from them today. Speaking of which, where does one go to get CVs without being dry shafted in the process ?

I'm pretty sure there's a thread on curing lifter noise somewhere in the forums. If its only done 250k i'd try a genuine oil filter and a slightly thicker oil. At the very least it won't hurt your car, and it might solve the problem. Thats what worked for me.

theres threads on using diesel oil to flush.....
If that doesn't work, just get a oil pump rebuild kit and seals,
esp if its done >250kkm, DIY < $100
maybe replace timing belts (as they have to come off)
I really doubt you have to replace the lifters though.

i would be looking straight at the oil pump seals, its about $35 for the kit and in some case's thats all that required.