i started to hear some lifter noise after i got my ac recharged about three weeks ago. it has slowly been getting worse. i know the noise is the lifters, but what bothers me is the fact that they are hydrolic, and run off oil pressure. so it's either the fact that my washington 10w-30 is way to thin for az (15w-50?), or i'm losing oil pressure somewhere. this is a scary thought for me because i'm not consuming an abnormal amout of oil. if i'm loss in pressure, it's most likely the bearings. either the crank, rod or cams going bad will cause a loss of oil pressure. the only reason i'm sceptical about the bearings, is because it just happened, not a gradual thing. anybody got any other ideas. i'm going to change the oil to 15w-50 as soon as i get a day off. i know a lot of 944 guys run that weight down here, so i'm hopeful, but there is still worry in the back of my mind.

take care
brian

 

Go for the heavier oil. Also, a bottle of Rislone oil additive for about 50 miles before you change the oil can help. Just drive normal, no hot rodding. That has cleaned out many noisy lifters in the past for me.

Lifters need pressure to stay pumped up, but they have a very small area where oil enters them. If you get crud and sludge in there, it will lower the pressures availible to them.

Try that before you go nuts and pull them out.

For the bearings, if they are failing, they will sound diffrent than the lifters. More of a lower sounding tick (lower in tone, and in the motor).

 

What about the oil/atf mix? Does it really work? I'm a bit skeptical about trying it on my car

 

I have heard it works, but never tried it. I have run the Rislone product in several cars and never had any problems. It worked for me, all except for an Accord.

I ran it in my Porsche 3 times. 1st from noisy lifters right after I bought it, and 2 other times to help pump them up after the valve incidents. When I pulled it all apart after the fire, everything looked great.

 

I agree with Perry,try some Rislone,it is available everywhere,add to crankcase and then run the car for about 50-75 miles at a easy pace.Then do your oil and filter change and use 20w-50w oil in the brand of your choice,I like Valvoline myself,and you should hear the noise go away.Just like in Florida,you are seeing high ambient temps day after day,and we all know these cars tend to run hot.Let us know if this solves your problem. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

i tried the risoline today, and it helped a lot. i put it in and ran for a while. when i came to a stop, i couldn't hear it, until a little blue nissan pulled up beside me. darn, oh well, have a few more miles to go and i switch to heavier weight. i must say though, the three bucks for the risoline is cheap for the peace of mind. now i know for sure it's the oil.

i'm kind of partial to mobile one myself, and the heavest grade they make is 15w-50. this should work fine i think. any thoughts?

take care
brian

 

My Porsche mechanic says that any Pcar designed before 1990 they suggest regular dino oil over synthetic.There are many opinions either way,but my mechanic preps many a race car,including cars that run at Daytona and Sebring,and I value his opinion.Run what ever brand and type you like. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />