So my 850 has always had a ticking problem. I've tried changing oil weights, switching out the oil lifter o-rings, oil additives and cleaners the works. I've finally worked up the nerve to swap the hydraulic lifters, or at least try to. I’m at the point where a few soft swats from a mallet should separate the cam cover from the lower head and the damn thing won’t budge. I’ve tried taping with a metal hammer to break the seal up to forcing a cold chisel in-between two of the external protrusions from the upper and lower head units. Does anyone have any experience or ideas of what else I can do? I’ve got some liquid wrench seeping into the very edge now, but that won’t penetrate nearly deep enough to be any real help.

Please, I would really appreciate any help.

The car is a ‘94 non-turbo base model with some 200k km on it. Not sure if the cam cover has been removed before or not, past documents from the last owners are non-existent.

Cheers

 

Do you have all the bolts out? I would continue tapping on it some, but not too hard to bend it or leave marks on it. How bad was your ticking problem? I've never heard an 850 that doesn't tick, it's normal.

 

Yes, I have removed all 30 some odd bolts from the cover. My ticking was horrendous. Deafaningly loud from start up, normally lasting for 30 minutes or so, throughout all gears and revs., and randomly returning at odd intervals after the 30 minute mark. It was actually loud enough to wake some of the neighbours when leaving or returning home.

 

You have to keep working on prying up between the tabs they have. There is like 3 in the front and 3 in the rear. Work around in a circle till it comes loose.

 

you can tap up on the tabs tech is talking about, I also used a peace of wood under the tabs to protect the cover.

 

Alright, it's finally off. Thanks everyone for your tips. I was worried of bending the aluminum tabs with the heavy prying, but with a claw hammer and a little leverage everything seperated perfectly.

Unfortunately, I now have a bigger problem. Through my own stupidity I've ordered a set of 20 lifters for what I had thought was a 20 value engine, it's not. The lifters are too small to directly replace the 10 currently there, does anyone know where I can get a 10 piece kit. iPd and FCP don't have them, and I really don't want to have to use the stealership parts department.


Oh, well. Thanks a bunch anyways.
That'll teach me to look up the engine serial number next time.

 

Ugh, I wish I had read this earlier.

I bought a 850 T-5R with the top end clattering like it was going to explode. I talked the guy down several hundred bucks because of it. I got it towed home and then added 1 quart of ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) to the engine and started it up....45 seconds, yes 45 seconds and the engine was quiet. I let it sit in the engine a few days starting it now and then and letting it warm up. Then I drained the oil and replaced it. Problem solved and I have a fantastic engine now.

 

call FCP they should sell you 10, or how many you want. they have a lot of items not listed on the web site.