It’s a crisp morning and you’re heading to work in your 2011 Dodge Charger R/T. The HEMI V8 usually fires up with a growl, but today, there’s an odd tapping sound under the hood.
It’s subtle at first but gets louder as the engine warms up. Performance feels a little sluggish, too, and now your oil light flickers. Something’s definitely not right.
These early signs can often be traced back to a problem deep within your engine—specifically, your lifters.
Lifters aren’t the flashiest components in an engine, but they play a major role in keeping everything running smoothly. When they start to fail, they can cause noticeable issues and, if ignored, serious damage.
This guide walks you through what lifters are, why they matter, how to tell when they’re going bad, and what to do if you suspect trouble. Let’s get into it.
What Are Lifters?
Lifters—also called hydraulic tappets—are part of the valve train in your engine. Their main job is to transfer motion from the camshaft to the pushrods (or directly to the valves in some engines). This motion is what opens and closes the engine’s intake and exhaust valves.
There are two main types of lifters:
- Hydraulic lifters: The most common type in modern engines. They self-adjust using engine oil pressure, keeping the valve lash (gap) optimal.
- Solid lifters: Typically used in high-performance or older engines. These require manual adjustment.
Hydraulic lifters are quieter and maintenance-free—until they start to fail.
How Do Hydraulic Lifters Work?
The Rocker arm, a small rod in the cylinder head, connects the hydraulic lifters to the head valves. The hydraulic lifters have small holes, allowing oil passage to the plunger and spring. The oil inside the lifters helps the plungers and the spring work effortlessly.
The spring and the plunger work together to create zero valve clearance and maintain quieter engine operation. It also reduces wear and tears in the engine and enhances engine lifespan.
However, low engine oil in the lifters due to a weak oil pump will affect its performance. In addition, it’ll likely cause strange noise in the engine.
Let’s look at the 6.0 symptoms of a bad lifter and bad lifter symptoms on jeeps, SBC, and other engines.
Bad Lifter Symptoms
Spotting lifter problems early can save you from a full engine rebuild. Let’s break down the most common symptoms in simple terms.
#1. Ticking or Tapping Sound from the Engine.
This is often the first sign. A bad lifter can make a distinct ticking or tapping noise, especially when the engine is cold. The sound usually comes from the top of the engine and may quiet down once the oil warms up—but not always.
#2. Misfire or Rough Idle.
A failing lifter can prevent a valve from opening properly, which can throw off the air-fuel mixture and lead to engine misfires. You might notice the engine shaking at idle or hesitation when accelerating.
#3. Check Engine Light.
Modern vehicles monitor performance closely. If a bad lifter causes valve timing issues or misfires, the check engine light will likely come on. A scan tool can point you toward the affected cylinder or system.
#4. Loss of Power.
If a valve doesn’t open fully, that cylinder can’t produce full power. As a result, you may notice a drop in engine performance, especially under load (like going uphill or accelerating).
#5. Unusual Engine Noise Under Load.
Aside from tapping at idle, you might hear louder clacking sounds when the engine is working harder. This happens because lifter failure worsens under stress, where oil pressure changes rapidly.
#6. Oil Warning Light or Low Oil Pressure.
Since hydraulic lifters rely on oil pressure, problems in the lubrication system can either cause lifter damage or be a result of it. Keep an eye on oil pressure gauges or warning lights.
#7. Valve Train Damage (in advanced cases).
If the issue goes unnoticed for too long, the lifter can damage the camshaft, pushrods, or even bend valves. At this stage, the repairs become much more extensive and expensive.
What Causes Lifters To Fail?
Auto manufacturers design lifters to last a very long time. But unfortunately, some lifters fail and need replacement. So, you may wonder, what causes lifters to go bad? Here are the common causes you need to know.
#1. Engine oil and oil condition.
Lifters will suffer starvation if the oil level is insufficient to circulate to the cylinder head. If the oil pump can’t push enough oil to the head cylinder even temporarily due to low oil levels, the lifters will suffer a lack of lubrication.
Hydraulic lifters will fail if it doesn’t receive oil to dampen the cushion from the pushrod or tappet. In addition, solid lifters will corrode, and you may also see corrosion on the camshaft lobe.
Excessive engine oil in the crankcase will cause bubbles or aeration, causing the oil to lose its lubricating properties. In addition, dirty oil may block or clog hydraulic lifter orifices or the small openings on the pushrods.
#2. Wrong viscosity rating.
Motor oils have grades. And auto manufacturers recommend a certain grade of oil for every engine. Using the wrong oil grade/viscosity will accelerate friction and engine wear and reduce engine performance.
#3. Lousy oil filters and screens.
A low-quality oil filter or old filter that has not been changed for a long time can clog and restrict adequate oil flow to every part of the engine, especially the upstream.
If you’re in any of these situations, there’ll be a blinking or steady engine warning light or oil pressure light on the instrument cluster.
A dirty or clogged oil pump pickup screen will reduce oil pressure and prevent it from getting to the valve train areas.
#4. Old engine and lack of maintenance.
Lack of maintenance, especially on older engines, will cause sludge buildup and lifter wear. The valve train, especially the pushrods and lifters, relies on the engine oil to function properly.
Contaminated motor oil in cars with 75,000 miles coverage and above will likely wear the bottom of pushrods, lifters, and cam lobes.
What’s next? Let’s see how to fix a bad lifter in the following paragraphs.
Diagnosing a Bad Lifter
If you suspect a lifter problem, here’s how mechanics usually go about confirming it:
Step 1: Listen Closely.
A mechanic will use a mechanic’s stethoscope or even a long screwdriver to pinpoint where the ticking is coming from. The top of the engine usually indicates valve train noise.
Step 2: Oil Condition and Level.
Next, they’ll check the oil level and look for signs of sludge, contamination, or breakdown. Dark, dirty oil can clog lifters or make them stick.
Step 3: Scan for Engine Codes.
A scan tool can reveal misfires, timing problems, or performance issues tied to lifter failure.
Step 4: Compression or Leakdown Test.
These tests can show if a valve isn’t sealing properly—often the result of a lifter not opening or closing a valve fully.
Step 5: Visual Inspection.
For serious or confirmed issues, the valve cover and possibly the intake manifold may be removed to physically inspect the lifters and related components.
How Do You Fix A Bad Lifter?
Since there are several causes of a bad lifter, there are several ways to fix it. So, if you hear a ticking sound in your engine and you suspect it’s from the lifters, follow any of these steps to fix it.
#1. Check the motor oil condition.
A responsible driver should always imbibe a regular maintenance culture. If you don’t change the motor oil regularly, it’ll cause sludge buildup and lead to a ticking noise from the lifter.
Even if you have clean engine oil, there are chances the oil is below the recommended level.
Change the engine oil regularly and ensure it is always on the recommended mark. The need for using the right oil viscosity cannot be overemphasized. Always use the specified oil viscosity for your engine.
#2. Use cleaning additives.
Most times, changing motor oil will not fix bad lifters. You may need the engine to flush, clean the engine sludge, or other cleaning additives. However, I recommend adding seafoam high mileage additives or Liqui moly hydraulic lifter additives to the engine oil.
These formulations benefit the hydraulic lifters, valves, push rods, and rocker arms.
#3. Replace the lifter.
If you have a broken lifter, the only option is to replace it. If only one lifter is broken, you’ll have to replace the others because they may have incurred wear.
However, if you have older engines with solid lifters, an adjustment may be all you need to fix the lousy lifters. Your service technician will also check if there’s a clearance between the valves, pushrods, and camshafts.
What Happens If You Drive With Bad Lifters?
The lifters in a car play an important role in ensuring a vehicle runs at peak level and reduces engine noise.
Unfortunately, the lifters will fail over time, mostly because of contaminated or low motor oil. If it fails, the engine will emit a tapping or ticking noise from the head cylinder.
Suppose you ignore these LS1 bad lifter symptoms on your LSI engine or any engine and continue driving for an extended period. In that case, the lifter issues will intensify and cause issues to other system components.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Lifter in an Engine?
The cost to fix a bad lifter can vary widely based on several factors, including the make and model of your vehicle, the extent of the damage, and labor costs in your area. Here’s a general breakdown of what you might expect:
Typical Repair Costs
On average, the cost to replace a bad lifter can range from $500 to $1,500. This estimate includes both parts and labor. The price can be higher if multiple lifters need to be replaced or if additional engine components are damaged.
Labor Costs
Labor costs for lifter replacement can vary depending on the complexity of the job and your location. In general, labor can account for $300 to $800 of the total cost.
The labor time required can range from 4 to 8 hours, depending on whether your engine is an overhead cam or pushrod design.
Parts Costs
The cost of lifters themselves typically ranges from $100 to $500, depending on the quality and brand. If you need to replace other components, such as the camshaft or valve lifters, the overall cost can increase significantly.
How to Avoid Lifter Issues in the Future?
Proper maintenance is essential to prevent lifter issues down the road. Here are some helpful tips to maintain your car’s lifters in peak condition:
- Change your oil regularly – Oil lubricates the lifters and helps them operate smoothly. Make sure to adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines for oil changes.
- Use the right oil – Always use the oil recommended in your vehicle’s manual. Using the wrong type can lead to early wear on your lifters.
- Check for oil leaks – Ensure your engine is not losing oil due to leaks. Low oil levels can quickly lead to lifter problems.
- Keep your engine clean – As time passes, dirt and debris can accumulate within the engine. Regularly cleaning your engine can prevent sludge buildup that could affect the lifters.
FAQs.
Q: Can a bad lifter ruin an engine?
A bad lifter will only cause a tapping or ticking sound at the initial stage. However, if you ignore it and continue driving, it may cause the pushrods to break and fall out of their sitting position.
Once this happens, it may break the valves and rocker arms and stop that cylinder from functioning. It may also damage the entire engine in a worst-case scenario.
Q: Can bad lifters cause rough idle?
If the lifters are not receiving enough engine oil or are stuck in their position, they may not pump up. These will prevent the corresponding valve from opening and closing as it should, causing a rough idling.
Q: Why do lifters make a ticking noise?
Lifters make ticking noises because of three reasons.
Bent pushrod: On a pushrod engine, whenever you depress the accelerator pedal, the pushrod raises its ugly head much faster than you can imagine. This means that the depression speed on the pushrod will be much, which may cause it to bend. Also, once the pushrod is bent or broken, it’ll prompt the lifter to make ticking noises.
Sludge or contaminated oil: Sludge will prevent the oil from circulating to every nook and cranny part of the engine. If the lifters do not receive adequate lubrication, they will make ticking sounds.
Bad lifters: Bad lifter is the major cause of a ticking noise from the lifters.
Q: Does low oil pressure cause lifter noise?
Low oil pressure is a common cause of lifter noise. Most times, ticking noises from the engine signify you have low oil pressure due to a failing oil pump or low oil level.
Whenever you hear a ticking noise from the engine, check if the oil is pumping to the valve train areas.
If the oil is not getting to these areas, check the oil level to know if it is the culprit. You probably have a lousy oil pump if the oil level is okay. In any case, don’t conclude yet. Consult your mechanic to diagnose the engine.
Final Words
The most common bad lifter symptom is ticking or tapping noise in the cylinder head. You can fix this problem at the initial stage without digging a hole in your pocket.
However, if you ignore and continue driving with it for an extended period, it’ll affect related components.
This article has outlined the causes and how to fix a bad lifter. With this guide, you can fix lifter issues without professional assistance. However, I’d recommend you consult an experienced mechanic if you don’t trust your gut.