- posted
19 years ago
Noisy lifters
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- posted
19 years ago
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- posted
19 years ago
Is this a 3.0L Mitsubishi engine? If so, do the lifters quiet down after start up and the vehicle gets a chance to warm up?
If so, I've seen marked improvement in a 130K mile 3000GT with that same dual cam engine using Mobil One 10W30 synthetic when compared to regular old
10W30 oil. YMMV.Bob
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- posted
19 years ago
miles, what grade and oil are you using? oil filter
-- ever treated engine with Seafoam?
-- regular maintanance?
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- posted
19 years ago
My 97 GC with the 3.3 V6 had that problem at ~25K miles. The lifters were replaced under warranty.
The cause in my case was my short 4-mile commute. In the winter time the oil would form sludge from excessive water in the oil (water being a byproduct of combustion). Since my commute was so short, the oil didn't get hot enough to allow for the water evaporation to occur. The resulting sludge clogged the oil passages to the lifters and they became starved for lubrication and eventually started to stick.
Since I had the lifters replaced, I change the oil ever 3 months or less in the winter months, even if I've only traveled 2000 miles or less. And, I use synthetic oil (Mobil-1 or Castrol Syntec...whichever I can get). I also try and get her out on longer runs more often, when I can. I haven't had even a hint of the sludge problem since.
Not sure what you can do once the lifters start sticking though, except replace them. Perhaps some others here have some ideas.
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- posted
19 years ago
A good engine flush, followed by adding Lucas oil stabilizer or Bardahl2 will often clean them up and get them quiet. A quart of Dexron ATF in the crankcase for a 50 mile run just before the change is a gentle, yet often effective flush. The 3 month max oil change limit is the key to preventing the problem in the first place, and synthetic oil tends to be more stable than dyno oil - but keep in mind it STILL needs to be changed every 3 months in short trip winter conditions - so I believe it is a waste of money.
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- posted
19 years ago
You forgot the castor oil and ex-lax. :-)
I've never had problems with Mobil 1 and I run it in winter in PA and for more than 3 months at a time. Then again, I drive regularly which probably helps most of all.
Matt
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- posted
19 years ago
If you drive more than 20 minutes at a time AND get the oil temperatures over 180F sludge is not usually a big factor - but the 10 minute max run, with oil temps under 180, and any oil will give you trouble.
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19 years ago
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- posted
19 years ago
A treament of Seafoam will remove the sludge and then moisture.
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- posted
19 years ago
I used to add some Marvel Mystery Oil to loosen up lifters. Not sure if you can still get it.
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- posted
19 years ago
Yep - sure can - I use it all the time as a sludge preventative in my
2.7L engine. WalMart and most auto parts stores carry it. Sea Foam and MMO both work well (and so does ordinary ATF).Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my adddress with the letter 'x')