Need help diagnosing a problem...

[xj220]

I was driving the Stang today when all of a sudden it started to make a popping sound. The sound got louder when I pressed on the gas pedal. During idle the car shakes pretty hard, too. We've been having a problem with a lifter that's needs adjustment and our compression was a little low. Do you guys know what's going on?

 

[Rent-A-Racer]

sounds like a possible head gasket.

 

[D.Hearne]

Might have bent a pushrod with that rocker needing constant readjustment. A collapsed lifter will do just that if an exhaust lifter is the problem. The intake valve will let the mixture in, then it's ignited, but the exhaust valve doesn't open to let the exhaust out. When this happens, the intake pushrod can be bent, trying to open the valve against the pressure. When it does bend, it doesn't open the valve either, and you have a dead miss. A wiped cam lobe may be the initial cause if the lifter quit spinning. It will wear out the lifter bottom and open a new oil hole in the bottom of the lifter, collapsing it from loss of oil pressure.

 

[xj220]

If it is the collapsed lifter, would we be able to drive the car to a shop or is it better that we get it towed?

 

[D.Hearne]

Better tow it.