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[John-R]

Hi All.

Just looking for some advice regarding oil.

Back in September 2010 the Darth Lord performed miracles on my (6 months owned by me) Mig and gave it a new lease of life. Some of you may remember the pictures he posted under "Why Oil Changes Are Important".
Since then I have had a morbid fear of such a thing happening again and have taken the advice of 5,000mile oil changes religiously.

Due to high fuel costs and the type of journeys I now do, the Mig usually stays laid up and comes out to play on the occassional weekend. Over the last few weeks I have noticed a distinct top-end rattle when I start the engine which usually settles down after a few minutes.
Being scared stiff I usually let it idle for those few minutes rather than have it rattling while driving. When it's warm it drives and sounds like a dream.

Now my question is, is this normal at this time of year in the colder than usual weather or has the fact that the Mig is little used contributed to this? Does the oil "thicken" with irregular use and would this have a knock on effect (no pun intended) on the rest of the oil circulation path - ie pick up pipes etc.

I've done 4,500 since last oil change but that was in March 2012 so due for a change soon, just wondering if fresh oil would clean the system or if I need to add anything to help at the next change.

Thanks
John

[Andy B]

If the noise goes shortly after starting I'd say it was a sticky hydraulic lifter (tappet)   

[Kevin Wood]

I'd say, on a car laid-up for a while, a noisy lifter for a minute or two after startup is nothing to worry about.

You may well find some fresh oil helps, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it if it quietens down quickly.

[feeutfo]

Normal course would be change the oil and add wynns lifter treatment. Leave it in for the duration of the next oil change. Noise should subside after a while.


Lifter noise is nothing to worry about mechanically, at the level you describe.


Lack of use and cold weather won't help, certainly.

[car5car]

Add 1 quart of ATF and run engine 5 min before draining oil.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Dont think i woudl go down the ATF route given we dont know how well the engine seals will react to it.

As for the noisy lifter, if its sat idle for some time then its easy enough for a lifter to bleed down so nothing to worry about.

[car5car]

Mark is right. ATF dissolves dirt, and if crank seals have dirt, preventing them from leaking, it will not be there anymore.
"Stop leak" additive softens seals rubber.

[feeutfo]

Mark is right. ATF dissolves dirt, and if crank seals have dirt, preventing them from leaking, it will not be there anymore.
"Stop leak" additive softens seals rubber.

Mr car. When in a hole, stop digging.

[dbug]

Mark is right. ATF dissolves dirt, and if crank seals have dirt, preventing them from leaking, it will not be there anymore.
"Stop leak" additive softens seals rubber.

Mr car. When in a hole, stop digging.

Think this guy is Rusty's American cousin 

[omegod]

John mine has been lifter rattling for 4 years, change oil,add wynns,forget noise,turn radio up,drive it more. I wish mine was as smooth as your's was the other week!!

Give me a shout if you want the VX/Halfords trade cards

[Webby the Bear]

Add 1 quart of ATF and run engine 5 min before draining oil.

LOL!!! is this what we call just over a litre? 

[Andy B]

Add 1 quart of ATF and run engine 5 min before draining oil.

LOL!!! is this what we call just over a litre? 

C'mon ..... I know you're only young, but you must surely know imperial unit!  A 'quart' is a quarter of a gallon ie 2 pints bear in mind though that a US pint is smaller than ours because it's only 16 fl oz (fluid ounce) & 'ours' is 20 fl oz 

[John-R]

John mine has been lifter rattling for 4 years, change oil,add wynns,forget noise,turn radio up,drive it more. I wish mine was as smooth as your's was the other week!!

Give me a shout if you want the VX/Halfords trade cards

Haha.
You see - paranoia setting in - comes with age.

Thanks for the cards offer - might wait 'til the snow's gone.

[Webby the Bear]

Add 1 quart of ATF and run engine 5 min before draining oil.

LOL!!! is this what we call just over a litre? 

C'mon ..... I know you're only young, but you must surely know imperial unit!  A 'quart' is a quarter of a gallon ie 2 pints bear in mind though that a US pint is smaller than ours because it's only 16 fl oz (fluid ounce) & 'ours' is 20 fl oz 

lol, so is one quart not just over a litre then?

[Webby the Bear]

As for the query (sorry got side tracked with folk of a bear-shooting nature  ) i get it too when its this cold. doesn't last as long as 5 minutes (prob 1 minute) then sounds smooth.

it only does it in this weather so i'd gues that it must be something to do with the state of the oil in the cold that we're in.