engine ticking.. should I use synthetic oil...

hypeechick69 · Post by **hypeechick69** » 02 Jul 2004, 09:23

Hi, Just a quick question... I have a 1998 V70 T-5 with 102,000 miles.. She has a bit of a tick on what sounds like the top of the motor... I have heard people mention using a straight synthetic oil, like mobil 1 ...?? any ideas? Thanks! Whittney

potroast · Post by **potroast** » 02 Jul 2004, 10:02

I always use Synthetic (Mobil 1 or amsoil).

Can you isolate the "tick"? It's a different engine, but my inline 5 was making a "ticking" and after tracing it down, I realized that the fuel rail is right there, and it's just my injectors doing their thing.

potroast · Post by **potroast** » 02 Jul 2004, 10:03

EDIT: The V70 is a FRONT wheel drive car, and uses the same 5cyl engine as my 850...

It's probably your fuel injectors. The fuel rail is the long silver strip in between your intake manifold and spark plug cover.

Post by **matthew1** » 02 Jul 2004, 10:18

Potroast nailed it... it's the injectors. This is not surprisingly, a popular question.

hypeechick69 · Post by **hypeechick69** » 02 Jul 2004, 11:37

Thanks guys for your reply.. SO if indeed it is just my lifters.. is there no need to switch to mobil 1 or is it a good idea.. if your car has over 100,000 miles on it?? pro / cons?? mobil 1 vs.. any other 10 / 30 W oil

Post by **matthew1** » 02 Jul 2004, 14:16

Synth controversy, recently discussed:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... php?t=1603

rainman · Post by **rainman** » 05 Jul 2004, 14:52

Not wishing to start a fight - it is very possible that the ticking could simply be that you are half a litre of oil down. If the tick only happens for 3 or 4 seconds when starting the car from cold itsimply needs a top up.... I thought mine was the injector rail till I checked the oil after a long run - topped it up - no probs at all until 6 months later when it dropped the level a half litre again. Go figure. Listen to matthews advice though, noisy injectors are usually the problem....

rainman · Post by **rainman** » 05 Jul 2004, 14:56

Oh yeah and fully synthetic oil is fine. Lots of ill -informed people area gianst changing half way through a cars life, but the car has NO IDEA what it is used to, and synth was not always recommended from new because there was nowherer near the variety there is now, nor was it as well tested. The 'softening seals' comment that is sometimes mentioned is unfounded and cannot be supported by any extensiver mechanical research. Synth oil is more capable than mineral so if the car is important to you and you want it to suffer less mechanical wear - go for synthetic. I use Mobil 1, but any quality brand is good.

Tsquared · Post by **Tsquared** » 05 Jul 2004, 18:59

rainman wrote:Oh yeah and fully synthetic oil is fine. Lots of ill -informed people area gianst changing half way through a cars life, but the car has NO IDEA what it is used to, and synth was not always recommended from new because there was nowherer near the variety there is now, nor was it as well tested. The 'softening seals' comment that is sometimes mentioned is unfounded and cannot be supported by any extensiver mechanical research. Synth oil is more capable than mineral so if the car is important to you and you want it to suffer less mechanical wear - go for synthetic. I use Mobil 1, but any quality brand is good.

FYI the 96 manual recomends synthetic (so does my 89 Porsche).

The 'softening seals' is usually due to the detergents in the syn oil that break down accumilated sludge and varnish that were plugging existing leaks in the system.

I am a firm believer in full syn oil. I run it in everything I have.