Noisy lifters

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

Bob

miles, what grade and oil are you using? oil filter

-- ever treated engine with Seafoam?

-- regular maintanance?

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.

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.

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

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.

A treament of Seafoam will remove the sludge and then moisture.

I used to add some Marvel Mystery Oil to loosen up lifters. Not sure if you can still get it.

Yep - sure can - I use it all the time as a sludge preventative in my

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my adddress with the letter 'x')