Merc 5.7 hydraulic lifter enigma

[dmitrev]

Hello to all, I have strange problem - one of the lifters seems doesn't send oil to pushrod. Sprayed with WD40, hammer & swearing used on pushrod to loose if stuck - no luck! Valve was loosen a bit, not to damage it and decide to change the oil with thin SAE30(half litre gasoline added to be even thinner). Engine started, and what I see: the "deffective" lifter sprayed oil as hell, and all other lifters(they was OK), seems, not spraying. After some time, they started, but they can't be compared with the "deffective"! Thanks to God, I said, it is working now. Big spraying is due to the loosen valve probably. Removed SAE30 oil, and added Quicksilver Marine SAE 25w-40 - this oil was given to me from the dealer for this engine. Engine started, and.... all lifters started to give oil, EXCEPT the "defective" one!!! What the hell!!! RPM-s was increased to 2000, and the "defective" one started to spray some droplets oil, but other lifters don't spray - oil is just flowing from them. Have You seen such thing? Oil pressure on 1200rpms is 4, on 3800rpms is 6. Video is with the oil SAE30 spraying:

 

[Scott06]

Hello to all, I have strange problem - one of the lifters seems doesn't send oil to pushrod. Sprayed with WD40, hammer & swearing used on pushrod to loose if stuck - no luck! Valve was loosen a bit, not to damage it and decide to change the oil with thin SAE30(half litre gasoline added to be even thinner). Engine started, and what I see: the "deffective" lifter sprayed oil as hell, and all other lifters(they was OK), seems, not spraying. After some time, they started, but they can't be compared with the "deffective"! Thanks to God, I said, it is working now. Big spraying is due to the loosen valve probably. Removed SAE30 oil, and added Quicksilver Marine SAE 25w-40 - this oil was given to me from the dealer for this engine. Engine started, and.... all lifters started to give oil, EXCEPT the "defective" one!!! What the hell!!! RPM-s was increased to 2000, and the "defective" one started to spray some droplets oil, but other lifters don't spray - oil is just flowing from them. Have You seen such thing? Oil pressure on 1200rpms is 4, on 3800rpms is 6. Video is with the oil SAE30 spraying:

I would use a crankcase flush in it like seafoam - put an oz per qt or L of oil in crank case and let it run a bit. I have cleaned up the varnish in older engines that were not well cared for oil change wise.

Might have to do this a couple of times. I think I have seen some use seafoam spray or carb cleaner down the pushrod hole to soak into lifter for a day or two.

Depending on where you are other companies make similar products (liqui Moly does). Might use a cheaper oil like Rotella T4 (unless you have cats) to do this flush work.

 

[alldodge]

Hello to all, I have strange problem - one of the lifters seems doesn't send oil to pushrod. Sprayed with WD40, hammer & swearing used on pushrod to loose if stuck - no luck! Valve was loosen a bit, not to damage it and decide to change the oil with thin SAE30(half litre gasoline added to be even thinner). Engine started, and what I see: the "deffective" lifter sprayed oil as hell, and all other lifters(they was OK), seems, not spraying. After some time, they started, but they can't be compared with the "deffective"! Thanks to God, I said, it is working now. Big spraying is due to the loosen valve probably. Removed SAE30 oil, and added Quicksilver Marine SAE 25w-40 - this oil was given to me from the dealer for this engine. Engine started, and.... all lifters started to give oil, EXCEPT the "defective" one!!! What the hell!!! RPM-s was increased to 2000, and the "defective" one started to spray some droplets oil, but other lifters don't spray - oil is just flowing from them. Have You seen such thing? Oil pressure on 1200rpms is 4, on 3800rpms is 6. Video is with the oil SAE30 spraying:

Remove lifter and rebuild it, otherwise replace it

 

[dmitrev]

Remove lifter and rebuild it, otherwise replace it

all lifters was disassembled, cleaned and checked. Then engine have some 2-3 hours ride. I don't remember, is it working in the begin. But how is it possible - most spraying lifter on SAE30 to be less spraying on 25W-40 ?! You see on video how it is working with SAE30! And what oil should be used on this engine? Frankly, 25W-40 I see for the first time. Have no previous experience with Merc or other GM V8, but hydraulics likes SAE20 to 30, pistons/rings around 30, rockers and camshaft 50-60, crankshaft 40-50. When there is hydraulics or hi-rpm engines, as rule, manufacturer goes to thinner oil.

 

[dmitrev]

I would use a crankcase flush in it like seafoam - put an oz per qt or L of oil in crank case and let it run a bit. I have cleaned up the varnish in older engines that were not well cared for oil change wise.

Might have to do this a couple of times. I think I have seen some use seafoam spray or carb cleaner down the pushrod hole to soak into lifter for a day or two.

Depending on where you are other companies make similar products (liqui Moly does). Might use a cheaper oil like Rotella T4 (unless you have cats) to do this flush work.

Yes, I put some WD40 thru pushrod, and You see how it is spraying on SAE30.

 

[alldodge]

I'm no expert but there might not be a real problem. The lifter is working because no sign of valve not opening/closing correctly. One or more push rods not getting same amount of oil may not be an issue so long as it gets some. Gets some more from other rockers splashing oil on it

 

[Scott06]

Yes, I put some WD40 thru pushrod, and You see how it is spraying on SAE30.

Wd40 won’t do anything need a solvent made to remove engine deposits

Ad might be right as long as some oil gets there may not be even

 

[dmitrev]

Wd40 won’t do anything need a solvent made to remove engine deposits

Ad might be right as long as some oil gets there may not be even