4.3 GM V6 lifter clatter at start up

[nomochevys]

My lifter clatter is back since its turned cold. Back this fall I put this truck back on the road full time and had some initial clatter at start up and just figured it was from sitting too much. Everything went fine until the weather turned cold. Now, when I start it cold the lifter noise is horrible. It calms down after a minute or two but man it hurts me to hear it.

I am running Pennzoil Conventional with a Delco PF52 filter. Is there anything I can do aside from replacing the lifters to help this problem? Any additives ect that might help? Would a full synthetic help? It sounds horrible cold but once it starts to warm up its as quiet and as smooth as can be. Any advice is appreciated. This is a 96 model L35 engine by the way.

 

[Trav]

You can run a can of Berrymans Chemtool in the engine for 15-20 min at idle just before changing the oil. Do not drive the car or rev the engine just let it idle then drain with a new filter.

Another alternative is to run approx a pint Kreen for 1K, both are very effective with lifter noise.
I would also switch it to PU or Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 after doing either of these, it takes time to clean but it will just be patient.

Nothing will cure a damaged lifter or ones that have an excessive leak down rate, most are just sticking and can be cleaned up.

 

[Ram01]

Try a wix. Or P1 filter that should calm the chatter

 

[nomochevys]

Originally Posted By: Trav
You can run a can of Berrymans Chemtool in the engine for 15-20 min at idle just before changing the oil. Do not drive the car or rev the engine just let it idle then drain with a new filter.

Another alternative is to run approx a pint Kreen for 1K, both are very effective with lifter noise.
I would also switch it to PU or Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 after doing either of these, it takes time to clean but it will just be patient.

Nothing will cure a damaged lifter or ones that have an excessive leak down rate, most are just sticking and can be cleaned up.





I have a can of the berryman b12 but I thought it was only for adding to the gas as an injector/carb cleaner?

 

[Trav]

They took the oil application of the label, I was recommended for many years but either people abused the product or the potential for abuse was too great and a liability.

People don't read instructions too well these days, buy a can a wally's, it has use in gas and oil on the can so out they go and pour it in and drive away, you get the picture.

It is safe and it works well just don't rev it or drive the vehicle. Idle only.

 

[demarpaint]

You can try adding a pint of MMO to the oil for the remainder of the OCI. A 1,000-2,000 miles would be ideal. A slight overfill won't hurt. If that doesn't work run a qt of MMO in place of a qt of oil for the next OCI if it doesn't quiet down. That has worked like a champ for me and dozens of friends over the years.

Several years ago my son bought a Vortec S10 Blazer with a lifter tick. A pint of MMO and less than 1,000 miles the tick was gone for the 4 years he owned the Blazer. Those are great engines.

 

[nomochevys]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
You can try adding a pint of MMO to the oil for the remainder of the OCI. A 1,000-2,000 miles would be ideal. A slight overfill won't hurt. If that doesn't work run a qt of MMO in place of a qt of oil for the next OCI if it doesn't quiet down. That has worked like a champ for me and dozens of friends over the years.

Several years ago my son bought a Vortec S10 Blazer with a lifter tick. A pint of MMO and less than 1,000 miles the tick was gone for the 4 years he owned the Blazer. Those are great engines.


AT this point I am fairly desperate and willing to try some MMO. I will have to go by china mart to get a quart. I have about 2K left on my oil change and I am already a half a quart low so what can it hurt. I will let you guys know how it goes.

I may add a bit of Berryman b12 also before the change per the instructions of another poster.

 

[Merkava_4]

If you end up replacing the lifters, you'd be better off replacing the camshaft too.

Collapsed lifters will wear the camshaft lobes down fast.

 

[nomochevys]

I just left out for china mart and it was 40 degrees and the thing clacked worse than it ever has. It finally stopped a few miles down the road. I bought a quart of MMO and put a pint in the crankcase. Im not a believer in additives for the most part but am willing to try about anything now.

 

[Robenstein]

I have seen MMO and Rislone fix a few noisy hydraulic lifters in some small block chevys and even a 3100 V6.

 

[JetStar]

Back in the 70's my 65 corvair would get a stuck lifter ocasionally, after sitting over night. I used to add a can of Wynn's, forget the exact name of it. Usually cured it in 15-20 minutes. I looked at Wynn's products now and didn't recognize anything.

 

[caravanmike]

i service my brothers 1991 c 1500 with the 4.3L and when it gets cold out their is lifter noise on cold start. we are using 5w30 in it. the clatter always goes away. this vehicle has 232,000 miles on original drivetrain, so i never worried about a little clatter.

 

[nomochevys]

After adding a pint of MMO the clatter is still there on start up but does not last as long. It was 20 degrees out today when I fired it up. The clatter only lasted about 30 seconds this time.

Stuff like this just drives me crazy. The motor is just as smooth and quiet as can be otherwise.