Chevy 454 lifter noise update

John T

Well-known Member
A good time back I reported this problem and wanted to give a shout back concerning its cure.

I have a 2001 454 Chevy Vortec 30 K miles in the RV that had developed a short term initial hydraulic lifter clik n clak just when it started that quickly went away. At that time even though the engine called for 5 W 30, Silly Me was running 10 W 30

Sooooooooo I changed oil to Mobil 1 full synthetic 5 W 30 (Had Mobil 1 full syn 10 w 30 before),,,,,,,,I added a quart of Lucas Synthetic Stabilizer (had used that prior also),,,,,,,,,,, I added a pint of Rislone Detergent which supposedly? cleans gunked up hydraulic lifters???,,,,,,,,I used an anti drain back oil filter AND BRIEFLY AFTER THE START UP SHORT TERM LIFTER CLIK N CLAK WENT AWAY

THIS BEGS THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION

Did the problem go away because of:

A) The change to 5 W 30 Oil as specified??
B) The addition of the Rislone Detergent??
C) The use of an anti drainback oil filter??
D) All the above
E) None of the above

Now that the problem is fixed I just changed oil again after a few trips and went with ALMOST the same, this time it was again Mobil 1 5 W 30, Quart of Lucas Stabilizer, BUT CHANGED TO A TWO QUART OIL FILTER THIS TIME (still with anti drainback), but instead of a pint of Rislone detergent this time I added a pint of Marvel Magic Mystery Top Oil juts for good measure.

If it aint broke don't fix it they say, so watch it start clik n clak again grrrrrrrr lol

Best wishes

Ol John T
 
John,

I really think the issue was anti drainback. Would you be willing to change oil next time and wait on additives? You should not have to use them unless things are REALLY bad.
 
john, the '54 motor does generate a LOT of heat. i have one in my suburban. with the cat converter, the exhaust temps are way up there too. the exhaust manifold were prone to cracking. with the low usage of the motorhome, compared to a car or truck, i'd guess the heat caused some sludge buildup and made one of the lifters sticky and took a little bit to fill the lifter with oil, causing the tapping. they do bleed down when you shut the engine off, and it took a little to get the lifter up and going. i doubt if the 5/30 or 10/30 made any difference. as always, check yer neutral and ground!!!!
 
Had an International 1 ton truck that had lifter noise after oil change. If I changed oil (15-40 Rotella) and used Napa gold filter and a quart of Marvels Mystery oil lifter wouldn't clatter but if I used just the oil without Marvels Mystery oil they would clatter.
 

I don't know about recent Chevy engines, but as late as 1980 or so Chevrolet recommended periodic servicing and adjustment of the hydraulic lifters. The procedure involved removing the rocker covers, starting the engine, and then one by one you would loosen the nut holding the rocker to the stud, back it off just until it started rattling, then tighten it back down until the rattling stopped. After the rattling stopped, you would then tighten that nut an additional 3/4 to 1 full turn, in 1/4 turn increments. Most folks never bothered to do it, but if the procedure had not been done in quite awhile, or never, doing so would almost always deliver a noticeable difference in performance and smoothness.
 
Id say at the next oil change I will no longer use any Rislone or Marvel Magic type of detergents (lifters ought to be clean by now) however, I' a believer in Lucas Stabilizer and will likely continue its use as well as an anti drainback oil filter

Good point, thanks for you post

John T
 
A OEM filter has cured more for me than anything else. Every now and again you run up on one that gives issues and WHY other engines of the same make/model don't I dunno...

Lately I have had a run of Chrysler p/u's 5.0/5.9 high millage gas engines that will rattle the lifters if I don't use a OEM filter...
 
(quoted from post at 13:03:49 04/22/14) A OEM filter has cured more for me than anything else. Every now and again you run up on one that gives issues and WHY other engines of the same make/model don't I dunno...

Lately I have had a run of Chrysler p/u's 5.0/5.9 high millage gas engines that will rattle the lifters if I don't use a OEM filter...

If I remember right, oil filters all have some sort of by-pass apparatus in them. The correct filter will have the correct by-pass valve, while an oil filter that "will fit" may not have the correct by-pass valve, which could result in slightly less than optimum oil pressure.
 
So what you have done is take away 1 1/2 quarts of lubricating oil from a hard working engine and added snake oil. Is that wise?? Don't know, just asking. Be like diluting the engine oil, wouldn't it? Is the stuff you added as good as the engine oil?
 
you have a lifter bleeding down.
myself I would be using 10-40 oil, not 5-30.
that engine is running in an oven all covered up.
5-30 makes no sense.
that's me and what I do.
also as rusty says a valve adjustment would be good too. it can be done with engine not running as I prefer as not so messy with oil flying around. from zero lash then tighten 3/4 to 1 turn.
 
you always believe factory? I know he is running what is "recommended" take notice of that word! under severe operation heavier oil is required.
gotta be a little smarter than some engineers!
that is the general rule and is not written in stone! I have used 10-30 and 10-40 oil right from new in a 2006 chev 3/4 ton and not one bit of problem. the factory recommened 5-30.
in other gas engines I have used 20-50 Castrol oil with no engine problems either. if you want an engine to last you don't use 5-30 or 5-20 oil in 90 degree weather. they even told me my warranty wont be covered and I told them I wont need warranty with the oil I use. have never blown up an engine either in all my driving.

I have also openend up a 1972 350 chev engine that used 20-50 castrol right from brand new with over 200,000 miles on it and you could still see the original hone marks in the cylinders. that's why I use Castrol oil for about the last 35 years or so.
so I hope you read this smarazz, as I don't just post things out of thin air!
 

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