How to stop lifters from tapping for 1997 lincoln towncar?

Most engines now use hydraulic lifters and they can leak a little, this causes space between then lifter and the push rod. This results in a tapping noise that goes away when they get warm or fill back up.

Are you absolutely certain the noise is lifter tap and not an exhaust leak? These are pretty well known for breaking exhaust manifold studs, or even cracking exhaust manifolds. The noise will be present on a cold engine but might go away as the engine heats up and the manifold expands. Maybe that's why it seems to go away after adding additives or changing the oil. It gets just enough heat in the engine to fool you in to thinking the issue was resolved by adding the oil/additive. Are you always adding to a cold engine?

-Rod

hi Rachel.
see if this helps you out.
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-c2620_ds638555
or this one.
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Could be lifter noise...valve cams, parts of the engine, are supposed to move the valves up and down to let in air and let out exhaust...there are lifters that good between the cams and the valves to make sure the valves are tight against the cams, they maintain the tightness even when things wear...when the lifter stops doing its job, it lets a gap form between the valve and the cam, and a tapping is heard, actually metal hitting against metal...this could be from the lifter being damaged, dirty, or starved for oil...make sure your oil level is right, make sure the oil is clean...sometimes a dirty lifter can benefit from a fresh oil change...if the tapping keeps up, damage can occur to the valve ends or cam shaft...you probably wouldn't notice the engine not running as well, unless damage occurred that caused to valve to stop working...there are lots of other sounds from the engine that are bad, like persistent knocking, which is a piston in the act of breaking, and not so bad like ignition knocking from using too low an octane gas...depending on the engine type, tapping could be lived with for years, and sometimes lifter replacement, if needed, can be fairly inexpensive...good luck...

You dont have pushrods and lifters in that vehicle. That is an overhead cam model engine and the pushrods are done away with as the rocker arms run directly on the cam. You would have to remove the valve covers to inspect anything in there. You may also want to inspect your timing chain if you suspect something is amiss.

Its could be just a sticky lifter clack, or it could be worse case scenario, main bearings or rod bearings. Get it checked out by a professional that can actually hear it before something major happens.

I doubt if there is a lifter sticking. People who say that usually don't know what the noise is. Lifters in your car are operated by oil pressure from the oil pump in the engine. If you are low on oil you will hear lifter noise, probably from more than one lifter. If you are that low on oil, you have probably done some serious damage to your engine. In short, without tearing the engine down you can do nothing for a noisy lifter.

this may be due to worn engine bearings , this would be like a knocking noise, a tapping noise could be worn lifter or rocker arm adjustment.

LIFTERS. Have a mechanic look at it BEFORE you buy it, you dont want to buy a problem child. there may be oil pressure problems, big $$$

Could be a lifter.. The lifters are what opens & closes the valves.. Oil passes through a tube in each lifter.. If the tube is clogged the oil wont get through and cause the tapping noise..