How can I get a 94 Ford Probe 2.0 liter, 5 spd. to stop ticking? It sounds like it's going to blow up!?

[Peachykitten]

Local area machine shop hottie here. Motor has 228,000 and ticked since 68,000 'bout 10 years ago. It's *really* bad now. I use 5W30 only, mostly high mi. formula. Put an oil additive (slick 50 ot the like) every 30-50,000. Tried the stop lifter tap crap (which doesn't work on anything I don't think! lol) All routine maintenance dun (oil, all tune up, incl. timing belts (3), clutch, etc.) since first bringin Ugly Betty home. Yes, she was Betty before the tele came along and she has just got uglier and uglier. She's still sweet with her walker exhaust and cold air induction. Always run 89 octane. I wanna run her till she poops and even then I plan on a rebuild (luv this motor - most bang for the buck in a go kart!) I know off the subject. PLEASE help me not be so embarrassed to drive my baby! What can I do to quiet collapsed lifter(s)?!?! btw - anyone know if fuel injectors go bad frequently on Mazda motors (yes, I know Betty is a Mazda, only reason I bought her!) Appreciate all answers

[dodgeman]

you need to take it to a shop and have them adjust the valves in it,that's all that's wrong with it,when those get a few miles on them they tick and rattle a little,take it to a good shop,and they can adjust those for you,those are good little cars,very dependable also,good luck with it.

[wlh1us]

drain the oil, /filter. then use Valvoline 30 straight weight  ( four quarts) and one guart of lucas oil stabilizer, this will thicken up the oil pretty good ( old engines need more oil  because everything  has lost metal on all the contact points of moving parts, this will quiet it down for a little while, this will work

[JustinFordJones]

all probe motors tick, some will tick for 30 years, some will last for 6 months, i was told if i changed my oil every 3000 km's with slick 50 or rislone, that it would take most of the tick away.  these motors have a headgasket that deteriorates after time, which leaves a residue on the lifters..  if you replace the headgasket with a new one and rinse your engine, it may help, otherwise its time for a KLZE swap.

[texasm]

There is a remedy you can check on very easily. This make and model with the 2.0 engine, and also the Mazda Protege with the same engine, have a bad habit of vibrating the spark plugs loose. The easiest way to find out if this is the case is pull each plug wire off the spark plugs. They should be located in the center of the valve cover. It would not suprise me if you reply and say that one of the spark plugs came out still attached to the plug wire. If this is the case, just put it back in and tighten it up. If the spark plugs are not loose, you may want to start the car in the dark and see if you notice and spark arc against metal components. This is also very common on the 92-95 Probe. If everything seems to be ok with the plugs and wires, you may have an internal problem.