Anyone know of a way to ged rid, at least reduce, the infamous noisy tappets on the (higher mileage) turbo Legacy (other than replacing them!). I've tried flushing and even an oil additive but squat results.

 

Kam that 15/ 50 oil must be to thick u have to go for a 5 /40

 

I've found thicker is better.

ultimate solution is fit impreza heads and other required bits, but it costs about £500 by the time you have some heads, gaskets, cover bits, coils, cam belt engine hoist. Oh yes, did I mention getting the engine out too?

paul

 

Ive used Mobil 1 Motorsport 15/50 and had good results. From what other people say about the Motul 15/50 300v, it should be even better, although I have never used it in a legacy engine.
The head/piston swap is the best way to go, but expensive to do, so only if the ticking really really really annoys you.

 

thanks - I might try some fairy liquid

 

Had the same problem on my Legacy turbo and the main dealer suggested using Wynn's Hydraulic Valve lifter Addative at each oil change. The improvement was noticeable, but gradual-over 2/3/service intervals and then silence. I used it at every service and the engine was sound/clean/quiet when sold at 94K.

Brian

 

Kam lets build a new engine

 

Brian, I've just bought some of that Wynnes stuff from halfords coz my scoob is noisy too. Had an oil change to Mobil1 15/50 which did make a bit of difference and hope the wynnes will do it's stuff as well

 

I've put wynn's oil treatment in and it's little less noisy but still lous enough to really annoy me. Is the other stuff specifically hydraulic lifter labelled? I've got 15w50 motorsport (not mobil) at the mo.

 

Different brand oils with the same SAE rating are not the same. Castrol GTX is a 15w/50, and it is relatively crap. Just because the numbers are the same, doesnt meant the oil is in any way similar regardless of whatever names the manufacturers put to it.
Motorsport could mean Lada racing.
Mobil and Motul are tried and tested products with a reputation.

 

Agreed - the brand (Carlube Triple R - allegedly developed with Lotus Motorsport) I've used is one I've used for years (although in 5w30 guise in another car) and has been very good. Will run the car for a few hundred miles to see what happens and then change for some Mobil or Motul.

 

Charlie H, NutterKam,
Yes the additive is specifically labelled "Hydraulic Valvelifter Additive", it is not the normal oil additive. I couldn't get it at Halfords or accessory shops but my local garage had no problems obtaining it at service times.
It doesn't give instant results but I had no problems over 4 yrs and 60k miles of using it.

Brian

 

Thanks Brian - will give it a go next oil change.

 

That is the same stuff I got from Halfords! I got it from Bradford, one of the new Bike hut stores.