Lifter noise on Startup only D90 NAS

[robb373]

Hello-
first post on the forum for me! thanks for having me .

I have a couple questions:

I just purchased a 1995 NAS D90 and noticed that upon startup for about 2 minutes I hear some lifter noise in the rear of the right bank of the valve train. This is a 40,000 mile vehicle which looks to have been very well taken care of and I do plan do an oil and filter change right away along with some more maintenance items as I dig in.

Questions for you good folks:

1- What have you seen as a typical reason for this? thin oil, clogged screen in sump, bad oil pump?

2- Most succesful fixes?

3- What oil flavors have been most successful for these motors? I have some RP 10-40 I might throw in for the first change and then when it gets 105+ here in Vegas step up to 20-50... thoughts?


I appreciate the info-

best
Robb

[cowboy]

Describe the noise?

[1of40]

I get a little lifter clatter when I'm about a qt low which last for 5-10 seconds. I've been adding a qt if full synthetic for the last 500 miles for the last few years. I figure it helps gently cleanse the internals but who knows. I've got about 170k miles and I'm in my original gaskets at this stage.

[rover4x4]

mine does this when it sits after a month or two

[flananuts]

There's a rotella oil with an additive that helps to quiet flat tappets which are present in the 3.9L. In the car of my engine I had two issues, noisy lifters and a weak oil pump pressure relief spring which when warm would cause low oil pressure at idle. You may what to try the Rotella oil first before going deeper into your engine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cowboy]

Royal Purple "HPS" also claims to have additives that "Protects valve trains using roller or flat tappet lifters that require added protection due to high lift/ high ramp rate camshafts":
HPS - High Performance Street Motor Oil | Royal Purple

[Grover]

Odds are your lifter(s) are either bleeding out while sitting or you have a sticky lifter(s)
What weight of oil do you have in it now? Conventional or Synth?
Everyone has a belly button and an opinion on oil.

[robb373]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

I appreciate all the suggestions. I ordered the Royal Purple high perf street oil as Cowboy suggested so that will be my first try. Likely is lack of pressure due to oil bleeding out of the lifter.

I will keep you posted!

[doktorno]

Take it on a road trip and drive the crap out of it. When you get home change the oil to something like RP with ZDDP additive.

[1of40]

Might consider getting your oil tested over the next few fluid changes.

[tjfslaughter]

I had a similar issue with my 18 year old Suburban, I ran a cheap bottle of engine flush prior to changing oil and the noise went away.

[cowboy]

Originally Posted by doktorno

change the oil to something like RP with ZDDP additive.

Fwiw, the RP tech support guy verified that HPS does have the ZDDP additive, & more of it than the more widely-distributed RP that actually uses the term on it's webpage. Go figger.

[rlynch356]

Does your oil light come on when you first start the truck? If not you need to replace the sensor.. I'm asking b/c unless you have been on top of the oil level you run the risk of rounding out the cam.. mine did this and it had lifter noise on the right bank (front).. I had to replace the cam and do the heads and gaskets at the same time. You should run 10-40 in it. Ideally I change the oil every 3k and run the big napa 1452 oil filter.. make sure you fill the filter with oil or the pump will loose prime.
These engines run pretty low oil pressure and if it ran dry (no prime) then you might have ground the cam.
I typically keep the oil level on the high side of the stick. And add at mid point.

[cowboy]

Originally Posted by rlynch356

make sure you fill the filter with oil or the pump will loose prime.

How is this actually pulled off? Wouldn't quite a bit of it spill while I'm screwing it on & tightening it?

[lithium1330]

Originally Posted by cowboy

How is this actually pulled off? Wouldn't quite a bit of it spill while I'm screwing it on & tightening it?

You'll want to pre-fill the filter and let the filter element soak up the oil. Pour oil into the filter to about 3/4 way to top, wait a minutes, the oil level in filter should drop/lower. Repeat until oil no longer drops, but stays at 3/4 full in the filter housing.
Remember to also wet the rubber seal/gasket with some oil before spinning the filter back on.
You shouldn't have much spillage (if at all) since you're only tilting the filter slightly.

[1of40]

I hate to admit I have a habit of not doing this. I know it's the right thing to do but haven't done it often enough to form a good habit. It's interesting though that new vehicles like our LR4 filter is installed upside down so no longer possible.

[down_shift]

Originally Posted by lithium1330

Remember to also wet the rubber seal/gasket with some oil before spinning the filter back on.

Also confirm the gasket from the prior oil filter didn't remain on the block.

[Grover]

How long does the oil light stay imitated after the engine is running?
Does the lifter tick on every startup or only after sitting overnight?
Two minutes of lifter tick is a very long time.

[1of40]

Originally Posted by Grover

How long does the oil light stay imitated after the engine is running? Does the lifter tick on every startup or only after sitting overnight? Two minutes of lifter tick is a very long time.

I agree, though 40k miles is a nice to have from a wear and tear in some respects, we know these old girls like to be ridden and well maintained.

As an earlier post suggested, if you're going to keep it and enjoy it then refresh the fluids and drive it regularly. It will eventually work it's way back or not. If not then you can fix it.

[lordhelemt]

Next oil change try Mobil1 15-50 synthetic. Awesome stuff!