[s-cars] Spark Plugs

[Steve Powers]

Matt -
> I really don't have much to say about whether or not a "bad" oil exists, but
> I do wonder about lifter noise. I have read that high performance oils, like
> Red Line, can actually reduce engine noise vesus Mobil 1. I have been using
> Mobil 1 since the day I got the car and I have always noticed at least some
> excess ticking coming from the engine. Has anyone had this sticky lifter
> problem and solved it (reduced the noise) using a certain oil or an oil
> additive?

FWIW, our ML500 has always had Mobil 1 in it. It has 50k miles on it
and has always ticked when the oil gets dirty. I view the slight
ticking as an indicator that the oil is spent. Earlier in its life,
Mercedes replaced all the cams/lifters/bearings under warranty because
of the ticking. Based on current behavior I'm now pretty sure it isn't
(or wasn't) a cam/lifter problem.

RedLine is great stuff and used it in a BMW motorcycle gearbox. The
result was much smoother shifting. Like the Mobil 1 though I could
feel it "going away". The shifting would return to what was "normal",
e.g. clunky, for these bikes vs. the silky smooth, notchless operation
one got with fresh oil.

Steve Powers