Chrysler Repair: valve lash adjusters: 3.5L V-6, postal mail, rocker arm

Question
I have a 96 intrepid with 3.5 i have what sounds like lifter or rocker arm tapping. I pulled it apart and found that the lifters are part of rocker arm and called lash adjusters. I have some that do not stay pumped up they leak down.I was told they would pump themselves back up. How can I check the lash adjuster and can they manually pumped up? I also know they are a dealer item only.

Answer
Hi Ted,
The rocker arm and lash adjuster are treated as a unit, so the adjuster is not separably replaceable according to my '94 manual. They will pump up by themselves and no way is shown to pump them up. Perhaps using the next heavier weight of oil will increase the pressure in that area and eliminate the noise. The manual only describes "inspecting" the rocker arms, with no specific way to test the adjusters. Look for: roller scuffing or wear, swivel pad on adjuster missing or broken, sign of fatigue or cracking of the arm, roller axle protruding from the arm.
If you believe that a rocker arm needs replacement there is a procedure described in the manual for doing that. I can copy the pages from the manual and postal mail them to you, but I can't do it until the latter half of the week. Use the "thank and rate" tab to give me a postal mailing address.
Roland