[s-cars] Lifter noise

[Mike Claire]

I work from home and rarely drive the car long distances.  Today I
went up north about an hour and 15 minutes on an appointment, and
drove back about an hour later.  This was steady interstate driving,
75 or 80 mph.  That's probably the longest drive I've had.  Near the
end of the trip I was idling in a drive thru line, thinking to myself
what a piece of crap car is ahead of me in line, the valvetrain
sounded like the oil hadn't been changed in the life of the car.  Then
I noticed the car was actually brand new - still had the temporary
plates on it.... the noise was coming from my car :)

I have NEVER heard this car (or any car I've ever had) sound the way
it did.  I immediately checked my gauges (all normal) and pulled into
a parking space, shut off the car and just sat there and thought about
things a few minutes.  Later I checked the oil and it was down at the
bottom of the operating range on the stick.  That's the lowest I've
ever let it get.

Knowing I had enough oil, normal pressure, and normal temps, I started
the car.  It was still loud, but it was already quieter.  I drove the
last 5 miles home, and by the time I was there it was like it never
happened.

Ideas?

Also, it bothers the heck out of me when I start the car each day and
hear the same valve noise for the first 1 second until pressure
builds.  Anybody else get that?  After that first second, sounds like
a brand new car.

BTW I'm running Mobil 1 10W30, and I live in NH.  It's not that cold yet.


Mike