I've searched the forums but haven't found an answer to a specific question that I have about this problem.

I have a noisy lifter that stops ticking after the engine has been running a while. After reading some of the previous threads on this problem, it sounds like I can add oil or another additive with a stronger detergent to clean any blocked passages.

On my last oil change I put in Castrol 20/50 Synthetic blend, and the ticking has gotten louder. I was under the impression that the synthetic blend has more detergent power and would clean up some gunk. I'm a bit apprehensive about adding too much detergent. The car has 148k and has had the valve seals and front seal replaced at ~117k. It doesn't leak and doesn't burn much if any oil. I never need to add oil between changes. That is a good thing and I don't want it to change

So, the question is, since it got louder after the last oil change, can I deduce that a lifter is bad and not clogged, or do I need more information and more tests? I'm going on a ~5k road trip in a month and would like to have this issue resolved by then.

Thanks in advance,
Brian