The car has 130,000 miles and has a sound that seems to be valves or lifters. It gets quieter as it warms but never goes away. Mobil 1 for 105,000 miles. Any ideas on cause or solution? arx or risolone perhaps?
It is a 1999 outback sport auto with the 2.2 the noise is under load and goes with the speed. I have heard it can be valve or clogged lifter oil passages.
Usually a sticky lifter will make noise at idle when the oil pressure is low. Sure it's not a cv joint clicking? Other thing would be a rod bearing but it probably wouldn't get quieter?
These engines are also known for piston slap and loose timing belt tensioners making noise that people think is the lifters. If it gets quieter as it warms my vote is for piston slap.
You are correct, in '97 the EJ22 got solid lifters.
Thankfully they are adjustable with common tools, unlike the shim-type in our '99 Outback, which are a @#$!$. This "should" be done at 100k, though my understanding is that it's rarely done.