For 1990-2009 cars

# Tick Noise from Engine - keywords 3.0 air click hydraulic knock lifter noise oil stick stuck

Subject: | Tick Noise From Engine

Models: | 2001-2005 Saturn L-Series

| with 3.0 Engine (RPO L81)

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

### Condition/Concern:

Technicians may find a noise from the lifter area that may be intermittent. Lifter noise may be caused by one of two areas. Air may become trapped in the lifter which can be purged during engine operation. Operating the engine at higher engine RPM for roughly 10 minutes may help remove the air from the lifter. The second area may be debris inside the lifter which can become stuck in the ball seats within the lifter or between the piston and outer sleeve within the lifter resulting in the lifter being noisy from excess lash in the valve train.

### Recommendation/Instructions:

The procedure has been to run the engine between 2500 and 3000 RPM for 10 minutes to attempt to purge air from lifter. If noise is gone, return vehicle to customer. If noise remains, replace affected lifter causing the noise.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.