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iTrader: (13)

Okay guys. My question is whether or not the infamous oil pump o-ring can go out on a car that hasn't had the timing cover off. My car has been ticking since I got it. It's only on the driver's side. You can hear it best in the wheelwell with the hood shut. It is NOT an exhaust leak. I've narrowed it down to a lifter tapping or a really noisy fuel injector. I'm leaning towards the lifter, since it's a more "internal" noise.

My oil pressure is 35 psi with the car at hot idle, and doesn't get over 60, even at 6k rpm @ WOT. What are the correct pressures? Is it safe to drive my car daily, or do I need to tear down the front end this weekend and replace it?

Thanks in advance,
Allen

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iTrader: (13)

Patman? Anybody? I'm really worried about this.

'Trust'

iTrader: (24)

is your oil level good?

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iTrader: (13)

Yeah, right at the full mark.

Cal

iTrader: (1)

I don't know how the O-ring could fail if the pickup tube has never been removed, and your oil presure is normal. Get a cheap mechanic's stethescope and see if you can issolate where the noise is coming from. You may have a bent push rod.

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iTrader: (13)

Is that common in an A4? It sounds to me more like lifter.

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iTrader: (13)

Okay, I did some test-driving, and came up with the following numbers.
Engine water temp: 200* F
Idle in drive or park: 30 psi
Normal driving: between 35 -45 psi
WOT @ 6,000 rpm in 2nd gear: 58 psi

This can't be healthy. The ticking noise is louder now at idle than it used to be ( a month or so ago ). It definitely seems to be directly related to oil pressure.
The oil is Mobil 1 10w30 and I'm running an AC Delco PF 59 filter.

Has ANYONE heard of or run into this type of thing before? I don't think that there's a blockage, because the oil pressure rises pretty quick, it just doesn't rise a whole lot.

ss rally red

iTrader: (8)

I dont think your oil pressure is abnormal, if you want to experiment try a different brand of oil or a different weight, I started using Mobil 0W40 over 530 a year ago and gained 5PSI @ idle and at WOT. It would be a cheap experiment that might give you peace of mind.

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iTrader: (13)

Well, it used to be about 40-45 at idle, and 60 at cruise, higher at WOT, and now this all of a sudden. It's just kinda troubling.

Maybe I'll poke around and see if I can't find some of that German Castrol here.

Cal

iTrader: (1)

Does the sound get louder or quieter under load? Is the sound at crank frequency or cam frequency? Hopefully you don't have turned lifter causing the tick like I did.

silent1

iTrader: (3)

Can you elaborate on this turned lifter?

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iTrader: (13)

It gets quieter under load, but you can hear it up to 1500 rpm if you can listen carefully. It's kinda hard to hear over the duals. It smooths out. And it's at cam frequency also. You can hear it much better at idle, or in neutral while softly revving it. Of course, you hear it best next to a wall or something.

On a side note, I think that it's a lifter because I read something about being able to get rid of lifter noise by holding the rpms at about 2500 or so for five minutes. I did that and it was gone until the next time the lifters had a chance to bleed down.

I'm wondering if changing from the PF46 to the PF59 has anything to do with the lowered pressure. I remember something about a different bypass setup with that filter. Anyone have any idea? It didn't do it until after the filter change.

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iTrader: (13)

I switched to the German Castrol 5w40 ( couldn't find the 0w30 ) and a K&N HP2006 filter. It stopped the noise, which to me confirms that it was a lifter tapping. It also raised the oil pressure back to what it was before.

I'm feeling very relieved.