Hi from ACT
- PhilsWagon
- Junior Member
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- Location: ACT
- PhilsWagon
- Junior Member
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Fri Aug 23, 2013 8:21 pm
- Location: ACT
- PhilsWagon
- Junior Member
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Fri Aug 23, 2013 8:21 pm
- Location: ACT
- PhilsWagon
- Junior Member
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Fri Aug 23, 2013 8:21 pm
- Location: ACT
So i've been quite for a while (stupid work always gets in the way) so i thought i'd post an update...
I pulled the oil pump off and found the mickey mouse gasket had split and was starting to be sucked through so i replaced it, changed the timing belts, idler pulley and tension pulleys, put her all back together and started her up. She fired up straight away but still has the dreaded "tick of death" i've read so much about.
So, to fix or not to fix...Lifters? Oil pump?
If anyone has some advise or experience they want to share about the best way to go about curing the "tick of death" i'd appreciate it.
Cheers
I pulled the oil pump off and found the mickey mouse gasket had split and was starting to be sucked through so i replaced it, changed the timing belts, idler pulley and tension pulleys, put her all back together and started her up. She fired up straight away but still has the dreaded "tick of death" i've read so much about.
So, to fix or not to fix...Lifters? Oil pump?
If anyone has some advise or experience they want to share about the best way to go about curing the "tick of death" i'd appreciate it.
Cheers
- El_Freddo
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On the bottom of the oil pump is (from memory) a 14mm bolt, remove this and place a 3mm spacer behind the spring - there will be a little ball that falls out after the spring when you remove the bolt.
If this doesn't sort it out there's one other trick I know before actually replacing lifters: remove cam covers (bitch job in engine bay!) then remove the bolt that feeds the oil over the cam lobes. In here there should be another spring and ball setup. I'd look into replacing the spring or at the very least cleaning this area out of any gunk.
FROG *should* be able to help out with that spring. You could always try out another spacer but I've not done that in this area, the one in the oil pressure relief valve in the oil pump did the trick for me.
Cheers
Bennie
If this doesn't sort it out there's one other trick I know before actually replacing lifters: remove cam covers (bitch job in engine bay!) then remove the bolt that feeds the oil over the cam lobes. In here there should be another spring and ball setup. I'd look into replacing the spring or at the very least cleaning this area out of any gunk.
FROG *should* be able to help out with that spring. You could always try out another spacer but I've not done that in this area, the one in the oil pressure relief valve in the oil pump did the trick for me.
Cheers
Bennie
- PhilsWagon
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- RSR 555
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WOW.. how did I miss this thread
Hi and Welcome 
Nice wagon Phil and if she's EFI then she should be the 89 model (that was the only release of the EFI in AUS) but I must say she looks in fantastic nic.
For the ticking problem, I would have stripped the Oil Pump down and replaced all the seals and gaskets. There is the front main spindle shaft seal, one round o'ring gasket and one mickey mouse o'ring gasket. I would have also checked the spindle shaft for wear, these have a tendency to allow air to be drawn in and this air makes it way to the lash adjusters (Lifters) and causes them to make a hell of a racket. If the noise is there for too long, you can damage them and then they'll need replacing.
Before sripping anything down, just run a bottle of lifter free through the engine.. 9 times out of 10 this will clean them out and the noise should disappear. Sometimes it takes some fresh oil and a run along the highway also.. just to bleed out any excess air that maybe trapped afer pulling bits apart.
The EA82 EFI is the only EA82 to have in my books, they are great when they are new.. after 300,000kms they tend to be noisey and tired.
Would love to see more pics of your car and keep up the good work
Cheers,
Paul


Nice wagon Phil and if she's EFI then she should be the 89 model (that was the only release of the EFI in AUS) but I must say she looks in fantastic nic.
For the ticking problem, I would have stripped the Oil Pump down and replaced all the seals and gaskets. There is the front main spindle shaft seal, one round o'ring gasket and one mickey mouse o'ring gasket. I would have also checked the spindle shaft for wear, these have a tendency to allow air to be drawn in and this air makes it way to the lash adjusters (Lifters) and causes them to make a hell of a racket. If the noise is there for too long, you can damage them and then they'll need replacing.
Before sripping anything down, just run a bottle of lifter free through the engine.. 9 times out of 10 this will clean them out and the noise should disappear. Sometimes it takes some fresh oil and a run along the highway also.. just to bleed out any excess air that maybe trapped afer pulling bits apart.
The EA82 EFI is the only EA82 to have in my books, they are great when they are new.. after 300,000kms they tend to be noisey and tired.
Would love to see more pics of your car and keep up the good work

Cheers,
Paul
You know you are getting old when the candles on your birthday cake start to cost more than the cake itself.
RSR Performance
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- PhilsWagon
- Junior Member
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- Joined: Fri Aug 23, 2013 8:21 pm
- Location: ACT
Thanks Paul,
I've tried a lifter cleaner but it's still the same and I checked the other seal when I had the pump off and it looked ok, but it has been sitting for about 4 years so who knows
I'll try the spacer first because it will be the easiest to do and go from there.
The compliance plate is stamped 2/90 so i'm assuming it is an 89 build but not complianced until 90.
Anyway here are some more pics for you...
I've tried a lifter cleaner but it's still the same and I checked the other seal when I had the pump off and it looked ok, but it has been sitting for about 4 years so who knows

The compliance plate is stamped 2/90 so i'm assuming it is an 89 build but not complianced until 90.
Anyway here are some more pics for you...
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- PhilsWagon
- Junior Member
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Fri Aug 23, 2013 8:21 pm
- Location: ACT
- PhilsWagon
- Junior Member
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Fri Aug 23, 2013 8:21 pm
- Location: ACT
- RSR 555
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- Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2007 10:42 am
- Location: ATM... stuck in Rockingham
When you say it looked ok, are you saying it was still soft and had a square edge on the running face, as I've had ones look good but after changing them the noise goes away. If you've got good oil and pressure, take it for a good run on the highway and I'm confident the noise will clear up.PhilsWagon wrote:I've tried a lifter cleaner but it's still the same and I checked the other seal when I had the pump off and it looked ok, but it has been sitting for about 4 years so who knowsI'll try the spacer first because it will be the easiest to do and go from there.
Yeah.. Built date will be 89 and inside the rear of the LHF door. Best model released in Aus. The only other EFI L.Series model released in Aus was the early 85-86 RX Turbo sedans and the Vortex coupes.PhilsWagon wrote:The compliance plate is stamped 2/90 so i'm assuming it is an 89 build but not complianced until 90.
Thanks for the pics.. it really looks good all over. I did notice your dash doesn't have all the gauges mine has ?? Wonder if it's been changed?PhilsWagon wrote:Anyway here are some more pics for you...
You know you are getting old when the candles on your birthday cake start to cost more than the cake itself.
RSR Performance
Home of the 'MURTAYA' in Oz
Subaru Impreza WRX based Sportscar
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Disclaimer: Not my website but hyperlink here to Subaru workshop manuals
RSR Performance
Home of the 'MURTAYA' in Oz
Subaru Impreza WRX based Sportscar
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Disclaimer: Not my website but hyperlink here to Subaru workshop manuals
- PhilsWagon
- Junior Member
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- Location: ACT
- RSR 555
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- Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2007 10:42 am
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I'm not at home right now to be 100% sure but I think I have Oil Pressure and Volts. One above the Fuel and the other above the Temp.
I'll try and find a pic on the web
I'll try and find a pic on the web
You know you are getting old when the candles on your birthday cake start to cost more than the cake itself.
RSR Performance
Home of the 'MURTAYA' in Oz
Subaru Impreza WRX based Sportscar
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Disclaimer: Not my website but hyperlink here to Subaru workshop manuals
RSR Performance
Home of the 'MURTAYA' in Oz
Subaru Impreza WRX based Sportscar
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Disclaimer: Not my website but hyperlink here to Subaru workshop manuals
- PhilsWagon
- Junior Member
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- Joined: Fri Aug 23, 2013 8:21 pm
- Location: ACT
So I was thinking about this "tick of death" problem and how I really didn't want to start pulling things apart so decided to do another oil flush because hey, it's been sitting for 4 years and who knows when it was last serviced. So I added a can of LIQUI MOLY Engine Detox ($23 from Supercheap Auto) and after about 5 mins of idling the "tick of death is gone!!!!!!
Woohoo!PhilsWagon wrote:I added a can of LIQUI MOLY Engine Detox ($23 from Supercheap Auto) and after about 5 mins of idling the "tick of death is gone!!!!!!

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'97 Forester: EJ22E; 4" Custom Body Lift; JDM STi plated LSD; 20mm WRX RSB; Snorkel; Kings
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'97 Forester: EJ22E; 4" Custom Body Lift; JDM STi plated LSD; 20mm WRX RSB; Snorkel; Kings
- PhilsWagon
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- RSR 555
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Great news Phil and glad to hear it work for you. I have in the past, used the flush, then ran the engine with a cheap oil with a can of stop leak (which softens the gaskets and seals) for a day, then dumped it and filled the engine with a good quality oil.
I also recomend you run a can of Upper Cylinder Clean and Engine Oil Flush before you service the engine next.
I also recomend you run a can of Upper Cylinder Clean and Engine Oil Flush before you service the engine next.
You know you are getting old when the candles on your birthday cake start to cost more than the cake itself.
RSR Performance
Home of the 'MURTAYA' in Oz
Subaru Impreza WRX based Sportscar
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Disclaimer: Not my website but hyperlink here to Subaru workshop manuals
RSR Performance
Home of the 'MURTAYA' in Oz
Subaru Impreza WRX based Sportscar
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Disclaimer: Not my website but hyperlink here to Subaru workshop manuals
- PhilsWagon
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- Location: ACT
That next service may be a while as it has no rego. I used half a can of throttle body cleaner down a vacuum line and she runs pretty smooth now, still want to run a timing light just to be sure but i've got a few things that need doing before I take it for a rego inspection...
- Brake fluid flush and adjustment (Brakes are pretty much non existent at the moment)
- Suspension bushes
- Tyers
- Engine needs a good clean
Cheers
- Brake fluid flush and adjustment (Brakes are pretty much non existent at the moment)
- Suspension bushes
- Tyers
- Engine needs a good clean
Cheers