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

on my 84 500sec when i ran rotella 15w40. i changed to 10w30 mobil one and it stopped. might try a lighter oil.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

When I switch to Delo 15w-40 on my 300SE, the ticking stopped. Previously, I had used Castrol GTX 20w50.

The detergents in synthetic oil aren't going to work overnight. It'll take awhile for them to clean stuff out, if anything is clogged. I would try using a diesel oil, like Delo (conventional) or Delvac/Mobil 1 Truck(synthetic, they're the same stuff), and change it every thousand miles or two and see if that helps.

Also try using a lighter weight oil. Mobil 1 0W40 flows pretty well.

If you can locate the ticking lifter they are very easy to replace, just take off the rocker arms and push the bad one out and put the new one in, be sure the oil flow is not blocked

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Jerry

2004 SL500 Black 55K Miles
2002 s500 Black 90K Miles
1986 300E Gold 233K Miles
1966 Twin Cessna 320D
1989 Jeep Cherokee 233K Miles
1994 Ford Van E150 399K Miles

the ticking stopped immediately. i think it is a questio of viscosity not dirt. when i ran the rotella after i ran it about 1500 miles the ticking would stop too, and when i changed the oil it would come back immediately.

be sure to try the lighter oil before going tot he troulbe to change a lifter.

and i am not convinced that a new lifer will make anything better.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.