yes i have searched, and i do know what they are my question is do they wear out or do they just go bad.
my built gsr sounds like a very loud valve tap at idle, thought it was rod knock at first thats not it, but i have pulled the valve cover off and pushed on them and they seem to have tension.
Can they loose tension, or do they just go bad completely to where the rocker is sitting down in the head.

thanks in advance

 

the the vtec lifter should be resting on the base circle of the cam lobe when the valves are closed. and there should be a little tension on them

also when you press down on the lifter and compress the LMA they should move up and down smoothly.......if they stick down then pop back up then the LMA is no good.

 

I had to replace mine...

They knocked quite loudly from about 4000-5500 RPM and once VTEC engaged the knocking went away... They never really knocked at idle or lower rpm's... And when I checked them they were quite sticky and did not spring up smoothly at all...

 

yea mine don't do that in the higher rpms, maybe its not them.
the tension seems to be alright, and i did a valve adjust.
almost sounds like piston slap.