Thread: hydraulic lash adjuster removal

I'm trying to remove the hydraulic lash adjuster on my 91 SR20DE cylinder head . I've pulled fairly hard with pliers but it's not moving. I'm not sure if some of the oil varnish is holding it because the FSM doesn't say anything about a snap ring holding it in, and I don't want to damage it.
Anyone pulled these, what's the best way?

Just yank that sucker out if you have the two nuts removed. It's just being stubborn. Maybe whack it sideways with a rubber mallet a few times to knock it loose. There is nothing holding it in there other than the two nuts.

the chain tensioner or the HLA under the rockers?

Yah I may have confused things. The chain tensioner is a hydraulic lash adjuster in a sense and he was talking about only one so I assumed it was the chain tensioner.

If you're talking about the hydraulic valve lash adjusters then I apologise. They just slide right up out of the hole. There is no clip or anything holding it in. I usually put a paper towel or rag on them and clamp down on the sides of the top with some pliers and pull steadily, firmly, and directly up. They should slide out. The tolerances are very tight though. You have to pull directly up.

If they are stuck you could try shooting a little PB Blaster around the body of it to try and break it free or try cleaning them up to remove all of the oil and try stronger pliers. I dunno.

Thanks! It was the HLA under the rocker arm. I got some PB blaster, let it soak for a while and it came out with a good tug.

For future reference, turning them will not help since it's a two piece design. You can soak, or tap them lightly and then firmly pull straight up.

The cam has to be removed to get at the lash adjuster correct?

makes it easier but no, I managed with the cam in place