Lifter tick?

[Dtmnuka]

After bleeding the cooling system and putting a new thermostat in, I noticed a loud tick and my buddy who works at a shop and knows a lot more than me listened and told me it was a valve spring that was old and going out. He told me an oil change using lighter oil would make it stop. Thoughts on this?

[StereoInstaller1]

Any particular car?

[Dtmnuka]

Oh sorry! my 318 w/ m20

[e30shmobberr]

not necessarily, it could be that your valves need to be adjusted. i tried using thicker oil for a while and didnt work. but then i pulled my valve cover and adjusted the valves and it made them way quieter.

[downernsp]

X2 valve adjustment first.

[RainierHooker]

Do a valve adjustment. There's always gonna be a ticking, but it should be in the range of a type-writer rather than a gnome with a hammer.

[LJ851]

Your M20 doesnt have lifters. If your valvetrain is noisy you have worn rocker arm bushes and/or your valve clearance needs adjusting.

[StereoInstaller1]

Either way, it is HIGHLY unlikely that it is a worn spring

[Dtmnuka]

How complicated is adjusting your valves? I dont want to get in over my head.

[StereoInstaller1]

You will kick yourself in the ass for wondering if you could do it, especially if you have paid someone to do it in the past.

[mikeedler]

try some thicker oil too. 10/40 in the winter 20/50 in the summer- it will quite it up a bit too after you adj. the valves.

[Cabriolet]

hands down, valve job. if you've never down it before, ask a friend to help.