Curious question about lifter tap

[TazMan]

Hello again everyone. I have a question about a lifter tap I have, or I guess had. I've had a 92 GP for about a year and it's had a fairly loud lifter tapping coming from the front valve cover since I got it. Since it was only a $150 car I just ignored it. Today I went out and got a can of that Sea Foam stuff people here have said good things about, just to get it running a little smoother. I ran it through the brake booster line. When I was done, the lifter tap was gone. As a matter of fact the engine sounds like new. Now I always thought that a lifter tap was caused by a worn valve spring, lifter, cam lobe, or something like that. My question is what could that tapping have been that could have been fixed with just a can of Sea Foam?

[IsaacHayes]

!!! Really??? My lifters are noisy as hell (no its not piston slap) and quieten down after a bit.

[GPXSS]

this is to be expected of all older 60º's in MPFI trim, they just do it.. some more than others.

[Young Whitey]

My 94 3100 sfi does is pretty bad at first but sounds perfect after a couple minutes. maybe ill try that seafoam.

[TazMan]

I definitely recommend trying it. I drove the car 3 hours yesterday and 4 hour straight today and everything is still quiet. This morning when I first started the car I also listened for any noise while it was cold and it was quiet even then. The car also idles very smooth now. That was just from running it through the intake. It says you can put it in the crankcase to clean the lifters and stuff too but I'll never feel comfortable pouring thin liquid like that into the crankcase.

[Azrael]

I've poured half a can into the oil 3 days before I did an oilchange. Didn't really notice a difference. I still have the other half left...I'd try the brake booster line although I don't see how that'll get it into all 6 cylinders. I might try using it in a spray bottle and mist it into the the TB instead to distribute it more evenly.

[lampy]

Sea foam is good stuff. I've used it a few times. Cleans the carbon and crud off the valves, keeps em from sticking lets them seal better.the way I was told it works best is.... with the engine runing put a vacuum hose in the can (attached to a vacuum port)work the throttle to keep the engine running. At about half a can, close throttle (more vacuum) floods engine withe sea foam kills engine or if not ,shut off engine. Let it sit for 30 min's restart, work the throttle cause its flooded, watch the smoke blow out the exhaust with all that nasty carbon and crud in it. put the remainder in the gas tank as an injector cleaner. All done.

[85_305]

I've poured half a can into the oil 3 days before I did an oilchange. Didn't really notice a difference. I still have the other half left...I'd try the brake booster line although I don't see how that'll get it into all 6 cylinders. I might try using it in a spray bottle and mist it into the the TB instead to distribute it more evenly.

Because vacuum lines always lead to the same place. TRUST ME.. all 6 will get the stuff and clean up I have been using the vacuum line atop the TB.. but I wonder if it would be better to go thru the brake booster? I didn't do it that way in the first place because it's too much a hassle on my '91 lol.

[pontiac3100]

oh yea i use seafoam in ALL my cars.
well not this one...maybe i should.

when my lifters tick it usally means it time for an oil change...and that takes care of it