[s-cars] Lifter noise

[Kent McLean]

Mike Claire wrote:
> the valvetrain
> sounded like the oil hadn't been changed in the life of the car.  

Miatas are notorious for valve clatter on start-up. Once
oil reached the noisy bits, it goes away. People say it
doesn't hurt the engine.

As for your car, I can think of a couple of things. IIRC
the oil filter includes an anti-drain valve.  If you are
using a non-OEM (cheap) oil filter, it may lack the valve,
causing oil to drain from the lifters.  I'd also switch to
10W40, if for no other reason than it should be a little
thicker than the 10W30. And keep the oil topped up.  Check
it every time you fill up, and track how long it takes to
use/lose a quart.  Then check it at half that mileage.

HTH,
Kent
'94 100 S Avant
'89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy" needs a new home