How long can you drive a car with a colapsed hydraulic lifter before it causes any dammage?

 

Lifters don't "collapse".

If one did, it would probably be because that the check valve inside it quit sealing. I think maybe that's what people mean when they say that, but I'm really not sure.

What do you really need to know? Do you have a ticking valve or something?

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

This is on my brothers 97 Cavalier Z24 DOHC 2.4. When idling it makes a loud tick tick tick tick but when you rev the engine the sound goes away. It has alittle over 100k on the odometer.

 

sounds like a bad oiling problem, at idle is when its at its lowest and probley causing the ticking, when you give it r's the oil pressure goes up to stop the ticking, i dont think its a bad lifter, just 100,000 mile engine syndrome

 

Add a quart of ATF, just regular Dexron stuff, into the engine oil next time it runs low. It's real high detergent, it will clean out the sludge. Change the oil after 1000 miles or so, you won't believe how black and funky the oil is, from having all that accumulated schmutz dissolved in it. Run one quart of ATF for the nest couple of oil changes as well and let it clean the inside of the motor out. That will often clear out clogged passages.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

not to mention cleaning all the gunk out that's helping the engine stay sealed right now. I've heard lots of horror stories about cleaning out an engine and having a leaking, smoking, paperweight afterwords.

Not discounting RB's advice, just letting you know about a possible outcome.

Clem


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Clem
SCCA TransAm Series Race Mechanic/CrewChief
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1983 Z28 with LG4, 5 speed, and (unfortunately) T-tops
1983 Z28, NO T-tops, (unfortunately) Auto Transmission (hopefully not for long)

 

if it is a dohc motor it doesn't have lifters most likely it's wear and tear.if you are running 10w30 oil in it now go to 15w30 it will quiet the ticking at idle for you