I have a clicking noise that sounds to my BMW mechanic friend to possibly be my lifters. (1980 model) I tried rislone for a couple weeks with thinner than usual viscosity oil, followed by a Penzoil engine flush (whatever its called) and then some 20-50W. (I get that right?) Anyway, the clicking seems to just come and go with no apparent correlation to driving style. What in the heck is it? I hate the idea of pulling the motor apart to find out, or worse, have a catastrophic failure of some sort. Anyone have some ideas on what might be causing the noise or any remedy?

 

Try the long screwdriver trick to localize the clicking. Put the handle of the screwdriver on the opening of your ear and put the sharp end on the cam covers over each cyllinder. See whether you can tell where it's coming from.

 

Will do next time I hear it and can do so....thanks