Re: Coke into motor oil for Lifter noise.

[Joshua Van Tol]

I agree with Javad. Lifters are probably the most precisely machined
parts in the engine. They have internal tolerances that are measured in
ten thousandths of an inch, it does not take much wear to render them
leaky and noisy. All of my experience with lifters is that once they
get noisy, additives may make some difference for a short while, but
replacement is the only cure. Sometimes you can switch to a heavier
grade oil, but this only masks the problem.

I also agree that changing the oil once every 1500 miles is too often,
unless the engine is subjected to extreme use, such as racing, or off
road driving. It's simply not necessary, and is a waste of money and
time to change the filter and oil that often. To prove this to
yourself, you might try one of the many oil analysis services, and
have the oil analyzed at 1500 miles, 3000 miles, etc, and see what they
say about it. Keep in mind that some discoloration of motor oil
(particularly dino) is normal and does not indicate dirty oil.


On Monday, March 10, 2003, at 10:29  PM, JShadzi at aol.com wrote:

> --
> [ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
> I think your experience is uniqe, generally speaking lifters go
> noise-free
> for about 100k miles, they have a service life, after this range
> lifters will
> begin failing one at a time, usually only 1 or 2 are the noise
> culprit, you
> can throw all the detergents and additives at a bad lifter and it
> won't help.
>
> I also believe your oil-change interval is a little excessive (bad
> lifters
> aside), especially if you're using synthetic.  I don't know what kind
> of
> miles you do, but i'd be changing oil every 2.5 weeks...
> Javad
>
> In a message dated 3/10/2003 6:20:44 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> Simplstupd at aol.com writes:
>
>> In my experience, lifters are not items that need to be replaced.
>>
>> What I have found is that most lifter noise is due to sludge, varnish
>> etc
>> inside the motor.  This is due either to a motor that sat awhile
>> without
>> being run, or a motor that lived in dirty motor oil.
>>
>> For example, had a customer bring their '90 Jetta over for an oil
>> change.
>> when she pulled it in it was making the o-so-typical lifter clatter.
>> This
>> case was on the severe side, you almost began to wonder is there was
>> an
>> exhaust leak.  It was bad.
>>
>> Anyway long story short we changed oil and filter, refilled with
>> 20W50, and
>> added a small bottle of detergent to the oil.  I say detergent
>> referring to
>> any product like CD-2 or Restore or Prolong-something to clean things
>> up
>> nicely.  We ran it for 5 minutes at an idle and then brought the
>> owner out
>> to
>> listen.  She goes ok go ahead and start the motor.  The funny part
>> is: the
>> motor was already running-it was purring so quietly.
>>
>> Point:  change your oil frequently.  If you get an older motor that
>> has
>> been
>> sitting change the oil in it and put in an additive if necessary.
>> The CD-2
>> product seems to work the best, and is only like $4 a bottle-can be
>> obtained
>> at any auto store or even Wal-Mart.
>>
>> Paul
>> '82 Coupe(oil and filter every 1500 miles)
>>
>>
>