1998 V70r Ticking sound after oil change MVSOLVED, alternat

Post by **chexny** » 18 Feb 2015, 10:28

I just changed the oil on my car. 5w30 full synthetic mobil. mann oil filter. within 50-100 miles I am getting a ticking sound from the front of the engine. I am about 300 miles post the oil change and just completed a 200 mile round trip drive and could here it while driving.

I cannot isolate. Going through some of the past threads here and watching youtube videos I think it may be a lifter tick. I just starting using synthetic oil on last change (5k ago). Total mileage is 180,000 miles. Any chance it is synthetic oil? Should I go back to regular oil to see if that is better? Also it seems I get the sound after it warms up and definitely I can hear it a bit more under acceleration while driving. I am low skilled so anything other than basic fix and I will need to take it in. also it has been really cold here - 5-10 degrees (f) in the morning. Other than 1 long drive all my trips are short - 3-4 miles to work. sit 8-10 hours 3-4 miles home. Thanks.

huzzsaba · Post by **huzzsaba** » 18 Feb 2015, 16:41

try semi synthetic. I was getting ticking for the first few mins of cold driving in my xc90 with synthetic, but once I switched to semi synthetic high mileage oil (Valvoline maxlife) the noise went away and the engine was much quieter.

JeffHicks · Post by **JeffHicks** » 18 Feb 2015, 22:55

5W30 synthetic is pretty thin oil. Not all higher mileage engines will have lifter tick like that, but it's not shocking.

If this were my car, I'd add some Lucas Oil Stabilizer to the oil. You can get it in both conventional and synthetic, but I'd get conventional. Add about 1/4th of the 1-quart bottle and see if that helps.

draser · Post by **draser** » 19 Feb 2015, 10:49

If oil level is good, and no oil pressure light flicker, I'd also consider adjusting valve lash, if you have solid lifters. At this mileage gaps are probably over spec, but you can check.

Post by **chexny** » 19 Feb 2015, 18:15

I spent some more time listening. I cannot isolate but consensus with a friend was more rotational than tapping or ticking. Not sure if it is serpentine or a tensioner or what but I think it is rotational bearing type of noise - if that makes sense. And frankly the sound today was a quieter so I don't know what to make of it. I am having my mechanic take a look tomorrow.

BTW when I called the mechanic he said oil was to light as well. I guess I will get to that next.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 19 Feb 2015, 18:32

I have run 5W30 synthetic oil in 850's for years, I've never had issues with it being too thin. You can try a heavier weight but I would be surprised if that had effect.

EDIT: In fact, per the service manual, 5W30 is recommended for temps below 68 degrees F which I suspect you are experiencing in Connecticut.

: Oil Weight vs. Temperature

Post by **chexny** » 24 Feb 2015, 14:42

btw was a bearing in the alternator. replaced and away we go.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 24 Feb 2015, 20:03

Thanks for updating us. Its always nice to see a conclusion to a thread.