Bleeding lash adjuster system

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Parking the vehicle on a grade for a long time may decrease oil in the lash adjuster, causing air to enter the high pressure chamber when starting the engine.

NOTE: After parking for many hours, oil may run out from the oil passage and take time before oil is supplied to the lash adjuster, causing air to enter the high pressure chamber.

NOTE: In the above cases, abnormal noise can be eliminated by bleeding the lash adjuster system.

Check engine oil and add or change oil if required.
NOTE: If the engine oil is low, air is sucked from the oil screen, causing air to enter the oil passage.

NOTE: If the engine oil level is higher than specification, oil may be stirred by the crankshaft, causing oil to be mixed with a large quantity of air.

NOTE: If oil is deteriorated, air is not easily separated from oil, increasing the quantity of air contained in the oil.

NOTE: If air mixed with oil enters the high pressure chamber inside the lash adjuster from the above causes, air in the high pressure chamber is compressed excessively while the valve is opened, resulting in an abnormal noise when the valve closes.

Fig 1: Locating High Pressure Chamber
Courtesy of MITSUBISHI MOTOR SALES OF AMERICA.

This is the same condition as that observed when the valve clearance has become excessive. The lash adjuster can resume normal function when air in the lash adjuster is removed.

Fig 2: Checking Engine Oil And Add Or Change Oil
Courtesy of MITSUBISHI MOTOR SALES OF AMERICA.
Idle the engine for one to three minutes to warm it up.
Repeat the operation pattern, shown in left figure, at no load to check for abnormal noise. (Usually the abnormal noise is eliminated after repetition of the operation 10 to 30 times. If, however, no change is observed in the level of abnormal noise after repeating the operation more than 30 times, suspect that the abnormal noise is due to some other factors.)

Fig 3: Air Bleeding Operation Pattern
Courtesy of MITSUBISHI MOTOR SALES OF AMERICA.
After elimination of abnormal noise, repeat step 3 five more times.
Run the engine at idle for one to three minutes to make sure that the abnormal noise has been eliminated.