Lifter Noise Fix- what else to do?

[ROSSO Z]

My bone stock 02 Z06 has had a noisy lifter at start up forever (75K miles). It starts quietly, but after about a minute a lifter starts a tapping noise. Once it gets a little warm and I rev it a little it quiets down. It seems to me that at some point the lifter may cause more serious problems for me. Do they fail at some point?

If I replaced the lifters at this point, what else should be done while the heads are off?

I am not interested in more power, just reliability and good mileage.

Also, who would you take it to in northern VA?

Thanks,

[seamus2154]

I have had the same issue for 73000 miles on my 2007 GMC. I have owned it since new and have done mostly synthetic oil changes no more than 5k. Sounds like one lifter bleeds down and taps for less than a minute. Drives me crazy. It bleeding down and the roller are two different things. So I have left it alone. If you feel you want to do it and are pulling the heads I would have to say also address tuning up your heads. Your at the mileage alot of valve springs have broken. I would check your wear and at a minimum put '04 springs in and new rollers then. Good luck.

[ROSSO Z]

Originally Posted by seamus2154

I have had the same issue for 73000 miles on my 2007 GMC. I have owned it since new and have done mostly synthetic oil changes no more than 5k. Sounds like one lifter bleeds down and taps for less than a minute. Drives me crazy. It bleeding down and the roller are two different things. So I have left it alone. If you feel you want to do it and are pulling the heads I would have to say also address tuning up your heads. Your at the mileage alot of valve springs have broken. I would check your wear and at a minimum put '04 springs in and new rollers then. Good luck.

Mine is quiet at start up, but the tapping starts after about a minute and continues until I rev it a few times. I was wondering if a new cam would be a good idea, if I decide to replace the lifters, springs and rollers?

Thanks for your reply.

[seamus2154]

I personally wouldn't change the cam unless you had some scoring on it from a bad roller. I would bet your issue is a rocker or lifter. If it has lasted this long I will bet it will last alot longer. Could be as simple as an oil passage in the lifter bore being a little gummed up. A cheap trick may work as simple as an engine flush prior to your next oil change. I have used Liquid moly w/ good results.