Human Opiate

The car has sat in the cold for a long *** time and it sounds like a single lifter is sticking. Should I change the oil and mix in something like Valve Medic along with any particular type of oil? How long should I let the car idle? Any amount of time to long? Should I drive it around?

Peckster

It should pump up pretty quickly. Mine do it in a second or two even when it's been sitting for a long time. I've heard of people adding some ATF to the oil to fix a sticking lifter, but I wouldn't do it. Not sure that it works either, but it would be interesting to hear from someone who's had success.

You might try revving it up a little to see if the higher oil pressure does it, I don't think a sticking lifter can cause any extreme mechanical damage.

You're sure it's a lifter?

Human Opiate

Any others wanna chime in? Thx.

Martin

Add ATF, run the engine for 30 minutes (idle only, don't drive it) then change the oil.

BRB_85.5_NA

When my oil cooler seals were leaking and I had a mild milkshake, the lifter(follower) noise showed up. I did what Martin suggests when I replaced the seals (actually, I changed the seals, changed the milkshake oil, put a quart of ATF in with the new oil, ran it, noise went away, and then changed the oil again). Worked for me--no noticeable adverse effects. I believe it's the detergents in the ATF that clean out varnish deposits etc. on the lifters??? HTH

John Anderson

Ive actually had to run cars at a fast idle for quite a while, 10/30 minutes to get lifters to pump ump. But these were new, on a new cam, if yours are old, and you have had no lifter sounds before, then its most likely lazy or just stuck, try changing to a light weight oil, or as mentioned, ATF, or both, then when you get the noise to quit, change your oil.

They can be stubborn.

Take Care!