My engine does not make much noise at idle, but there is still some lifter tick.

1. Can someone aware me on how to check if a lifter is faulty or just dirty? This is in the assumption that they are out of the engine and they can be tested

2. Should lifters be able to be compressed or not compressed? From what I understand they have a check valve that allows oil on but not out, and should not be able to be compressed? Does this mean lifters that tick are faulty and allow oil out?

3. Can used lifters (but tested to be ok) be used from one engine into another, or is it a case of reusing the lifter that was in there or getting a new one? As I know you should install them in the same spot they came from.

4. Aftermarket lifters are fairly cheap at about $150 for 24. Is is worth even testing/cleaning lifters to save $150?

5. How do aftermarket lifters compare to OEM lifters? Any brands which are good/bad?

1) Compress them in diesel fuel, pump them, if they wont stop pumping and dont stiffen they are buggered

2) They should be able to be compressed to be filled with oil, if they dont stiffen and are allowed to be compressed they need to be replaced.

3) As long as you replace both lifters at the same time it doesn't matter where you put them.

4) The cheapest I found lifters were $8 each, the prices varied, many places wanted $20 each lifter.

I dont know how to answer that, what is your time worth to you? How hard is it for you to clean them, decided on the condition, put them back in and possibly reopen the cover again?

As for brands....for me I never really even got told what brand of lifters I was buying, and I didnt care.

Thanks peaandham,

To elaborate on #3, I meant can I reuse second hand lifters from a different motor (I have a pair of used heads that I can scavenge for parts). Or is it a case of install the lifter that was already there, or a new one, nothing else?

EDIT:
As far as cost, a set of 24 can be bought including shipping from the US.

And do you know if installing new lifters and then doing an engine flush can clog them?

You can use second hand lifters from another motor if you want. What im saying is you cannot just replace one at a time, you need to replace two at a time, so each arm will use a pair of lifters, they must be replaced at the same time.

I would flush the motor, drop the oil, clean rocker arms, shaft and lifters, then refill with fresh oil.

Can you explain why all (both) lifters on each rocker arm need to be replaced rather than just one?
ie, if one is working fine, and one is not, why would both be changed?

Chances are, if one side is rooted, so would the other.

When I had my V6 TS, I replaced all of the lifters.

The old ones were soaked in petrol overnight. I then tested each one:
While submerged: (lifter needs to stand with the check valve up throughout)
- push the ball check valve in with a blunt thin piece of wire. Then see if the plunger pushes down easily (while keeping the valve open).
- pump it a few times to clean out. Then release check valve and see if it is impossible to collapse the lifter.

Any lifters that failed either test were thrown away. (only 2 out of the 12 were junked)
The good ones were then pumped (check valve open) in engine oil to fill with oil. (Diesel is better, the engine still rattled on startup, didn't get all of the air out of the lifters).

With 24 of these, I'd simply remove all and do the above, then just replace the defective ones. Doesn't matter where the cleaned/new ones go, ie ok to just mix them up.

EDIT: Examine them physically for any damage, and as above, clean out the rocker shafts too.

I just tested one lifter from the spare heads that I have.
It was impossible to compress, however once I put a paper clip through it and compressed oil came out and it was springy and smooth in action.
This would be a good lifter I assume, and I can use it in place of any faulty ones I find in my engine?

once I put a paper clip through it and compressed oil came out and it was springy and smooth in action.


This would be my definition of a working lifter, yes, use it. Don't forget to refill it though.

I assume I should measure the extended length and make sure it is as per factory specs?

And to confirm, it's ok to use a used lifter from a different head?

Guys I have another question, if there is lifter tick only at idle when fully warmed up, what could this possibly indicate?

When I was checking mine I mixed them all up during the cleaning and inspection process, never caused any problems. You need 3 containers of diesel. 1st one to clean the outside of the lifter with a brush. Next one to flush it out internally while holding the check valve open. Last one to stand it upright, holding the check valve open to fill with diesel and get all the air out.

Why would it be filled with diesel and not oil though?
I know this is what the Mitsubishi manual says to do, but it seems odd

Engine oil is far too thick to get in the lifter. Diesel oil is thin enough, readily availible and cleans well so it is used.

Use diesel or sewing machine oil.