63 replies to this topic

[Kevin.]

I've been plagued by a problem for the last year or so with my motor. Sometimes after I start y car it will make a significant ticking noise. I know what they motor is supposed to sound like and this is louder than it should be. It also does it after I've been driving for awhile as well and I have no idea why it's been doing this. Its a very distinctive clacking noise, but usually a light touch of the throttle will fix it

I already did my oil pan gaskets, just did the PCV recently; I don't know what the hell this is. Help?

Running 10w30 full synthetic

[Rsterns]

If you've done the oil pan seals and the PCV, and your still getting a ticking noise that goes away with a little throttle, that says to me that you have a problem with a lifter, or maybe that o'ring slipped out of place when you did the pan, and your not getting all the top side pressure you deserve for your efforts.

[Kevin.]

Another thing I've noticed is that I drive the car hard my lifters clack horribly. Turning off be car and restarting solves this.

[Rsterns]

Another thing I've noticed is that I drive the car hard my lifters clack horribly. Turning off be car and restarting solves this.

That is a bit odd. Never had one fail, but replaced it when I did my rebuild, don't know if the oil pump can get intermittent, or if it's sucking air somehow causing a lock, that clears when you turn off the car? When you did your pan, did you replace the O'ring on the pickup tube.

[Kevin.]

Yes. I actually cracked my oil pan so I made sure to buy all new gaskets. Got the kit off of FCP or something. I know 100% that I did it

[KS855R]

Nothing to worry to much about unless its doing it a lot. As the guys said the O ring kit and PCV will help and most likely fix the problem. Before I bought my car the guy that owned it had the entire top end rebuilt because of the tick and it turned out to be the Orings which I found out after I got my hands on it. Not a bad deal for me though :-)

[Kevin.]

Well that's the thing... I already did the O-Rings and my PCV. Don't want to tear apart my motor so I'm not quite sure what's the next step

[KS855R]

How often is it ticking? If its just cold starts and idles every so often I would not worry to much. Solid lifters tick when they get warn. The first thing I would try is a heavier weight oil, as for weight many people have different opinions. How many miles is on your engine? My friend has a BMW M3 that ticks loud! and it runs like a top.

[Kevin.]

motor probably has about 110k or so on it. It ticks randomly, I tried to figure out a pattern of when it acts up but it's too erratic. Engine runs strong no power issues so Im still lost

[Kevin.]

Winter is upon me here in South Dakota and I'm seeing regular lows dipping into -20.

I'm contemplating switching to a 0w30 oil but I was thinking about using conventional oil....thoughts?


The car still clacks/ticks when cold btw

[Keaton85]

Why?

[Kevin.]

I've run zero weight oil in the past to help with cold starts.

[Keaton85]

but why dino? when you are trying to get a better flow...

[Kevin.]

So you're saying use full synthetic then

[cruzer555]

The car still clacks/ticks when cold btw

On cars my dad's owned that have done that, a few shorter OCIs (oil change intervals) took care of it... Idk if that'll work for you, maybe your already doing short OCIs, just sayin...

Also like pleasedelete says, keep running the synthetic. 0-30 synth has better flow that 0-30 dino.

[Kevin.]

He last time I changed my oil I probably went almost 8k miles

Ill do an oil change at the end of the month and then a week after that to see if I notice any changes

[Keaton85]

I would try a 40 weight to see if that makes any difference. As for the winter weight, just keep in mind that the smaller the spread between the numbers the more longevity the oil will have. But at -20 haha, I think you might need the lowest you can get!!! wooooowww

[volvos70turbo99]

try to throw some MMO, marvel mystery oil, i had a weird ticking noise and this quieted it down immediately, its thin and no it will not hurt your motor, replace 1 qt of oil on your next change, probably just a lifter.

[cruzer555]

He last time I changed my oil I probably went almost 8k miles

Ill do an oil change at the end of the month and then a week after that to see if I notice any changes

LOL I didn't mean that short! He did 4000 mile intervals and after a few the noise was gone. It stayed gone till we sold the car 150k miles later. The ticking really isn't a big deal, my car has it and I'm about to run my second 3k OCI, it should quiet down soon...

I'd run 0W-30 in the car for -20º and definitely stick with full synth. Also my car quiets itself in winter, it only clatters in summer when the oil is lighter...

IDK if I'd run any additives, not even MMO, but thats just me. Maybe if the short OCIs don't work, but considering your at 8000 miles on the oil I'd bet shorter OCIs would help...

[Keaton85]

What the heck would short OCIs do for this?