lifters + synth vs. petroil question

[John Lajza]

I'm sure you will get a variety of opinions on this subject.
Here is my experience;
86 4kcsq 147k noisy lifters, changed over to synthetic (castrol, didn't know
any better)
I received allot of input that I had done the wrong thing.  I would have oil
leaking form everywhere.
No leaks, after 1500 miles the oil was black.
Changed it, stayed clean for about 5k (I did not pay attention to the lifter
noise or lack there of.  So it must not have gotten worse.)
Car now has 215k runs good.  (lifter noise is normal per Bentley, quiets
down after engine warms up)
Switched to Mobil one at around 175k.  Change oil every 5k miles.
However, the engine sounds really bad (like an old tractor) after two weeks
of non use.  Again it quiets down after it warms up.
The car is currently sitting on jack stands waiting for a fuel line
replacement.
I had a similar experience with a 86 4ks.  Mileage unknown, broken
odometer......


John Lajza
----- Original Message -----
From: <David.Ullrich at ferguson.com>
To: <bradym at sympatico.ca>; <quattro at audifans.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 10:33 AM
Subject: RE: lifters + synth vs. petroil question


I'm in the same boat. Trying to keep 'em quiet but don't want to make things
worse. One suggestion I was given was to switch to synth for a while to
clean things out then go back to dino. But, even that worries me. I really
want to do the right thing for my car, as I'm planning on keeping it until
it literally cannot be fixed anymore. I'm running 20w50 dino now. I was told
that 15w50 Mobile 1 (red cap) is the way to go for synth for the NG, any
comments on that?

Dave

1987.5 Audi Coupe GT "Special Build" 2.3 - Anthracite Black
1998 VW Passat GLS 1.8T - For Sale CHEAP




-----Original Message-----
From: Brady Moffatt [mailto:bradym at sympatico.ca]
Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 10:22 AM
To: quattro
Subject: lifters + synth vs. petroil question


Hi All,

Small dilemna here. Great running engine in my 4kq, except for lifter
ticking, sometimes pretty loud. I keep the oil level topped up (it doesn't
burn any oil anyways) and change it every 5000km.

Here's the question: Should I switch to synthetic? I've heard conflicting
opinions on this re:lifters. Will synth and its detergent qualities unstick
the lifters? Or will its thinner nature drain down out of them faster and
therefore cause more tick at startup and thereafter? Or will synth's better
flowing traits fill them up faster on startup and therefore make everything
quieter? ACK!

I have no leaks anywhere on the engine right now. At 286,000km
(178,000miles), am I asking for leaks at seals if I switch to synth?

Of course, new lifters _are_ an option! I'd just like to be sure that I
can't restore them to their former glory first.

Cheers,
Brady Moffatt
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
86 4ksq, 286,000km
86 4ksq, 208,000km parts car
72 Datsun 240Z, 180,000 miles
In early stages of quattrosis accumulatus


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