John:

I checked with my mechanic yestereday, and he said that you may indeed have a bad lifter -- he replaced them all the time. Easier on the gasoline engines, though....... no need to remove the camshaft.

By all means, try Mobil 1 or another synthetic oil. It might just cure the problem without replacing the lifter.

If it doesn't, you will eventually have to bite the bullet and get it changed.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!