Lifter Noise with the 3.5 seems to be a common problem. It seems to come from the rear bank. We have owned 3 3.5 Veradas with the same problem. But the fix is simple enough:

I run a 20/50 Grade oil (usually Shell Helix or Mobil XHP) and add a bottle of Nulon Worn Engine Treatment (green bottle). Let the engine warm first after the oil change and the tappet noise start. Then stop the engine and add the Nulon Worn Engine Treatment and start it up. The Noise goes quickly after this and is perfectly quiet and seems to be a permanent fix (although I add a bottle every two oil changes for good measure). I tried this procedure 3 times with three diff cars and it has worked. You might want it give it a shot.

I haven't tried it with a lower viscosity oil though - if anybody out there is willing to give it a shot, let me know how it goes.

LouisK

Hmmm, i run castrol magnatec (10/40 i think???) and tried some of that "lifter free & tune up" stuff, didnt do much if anything at all. So perhaps i should give this a try next time....ill let you nwo how it goes....

yeah magnatec is the worst oil i found for my magna

Should I be needing "worn engine treatment"with only 45K on the clock? Think not. I'm still waiting for answers from Mits.

Should I be needing "worn engine treatment"with only 45K on the clock? Think not. I'm still waiting for answers from Mits.

I think the specified 15,000km service interval are just too long in regards to oil changes, especially if you are doing a lot of stop start city driving etc.
I'd be looking at atleast 7,500km changes.
Mine has always been done at 7,500. No tappet noise, and runs as new after 120,000km's.
Just a thought, what do you guys change oil at?

I think the specified 15,000km service interval are just too long in regards to oil changes, especially if you are doing a lot of stop start city driving etc.
I'd be looking at atleast 7,500km changes.
Mine has always been done at 7,500. No tappet noise, and runs as new after 120,000km's.
Just a thought, what do you guys change oil at?

Oh no another when to top up threads. lol
As I am using fully Syn, I go for 8000K now, but I check the oil is still clean at 5K. Agreed that 15K is way above the mark for an oil change, even Mobil One gives about 14K. As for treatment to the oil, hmm....have doubts but worth looking into.

Tried Nulon's Lifter Free and Tune up on one of my cars, but that didn't do it. But the Nulon Worn Engine Treatment does make a difference. I change oils every 5k, and the engine is running nicely now with no noise.

As for the issue of using Worn Engine Treatment in low mileage engine, I think it is all psychological. The fact that the engine is noisey indicates some sort of wear. If you are concerned, Nulon makes another product which is similar to Worn Engine Treatment but is called Performance Engine Treatment (Blue Label). I remember the Nulon guy saying that it was similar product WET(but give Nulon a call to confirm).

From my experience, this seems to be the easiest and cheapest fix, for lifter noise associated with the 3.5 engine and there has been no deterimental effects. And my view is rather then spending say $40-$50 bucks for oil, I simply buy a quality $20 oil and spend the $11 for the Nulon product which seems to be doing the engine well.

If you have tappet noise, its a relatively inexpensive test.

I think I will give this a go at the next oil change. I have been using 5w-30 Durablend for the last 2 oil changes and since it got cold I have had some tappet noise from the rear bank also.
I posted a separate thread about it a while back. I have found that if I start the car and its tapping like a ba@^%3! that I just turn it off and start it again and its ok. The car has only done 66000kms, I have done 13000kms since December and it idled quietly until the weather turned cold.
It seems as though the tappets are losing oil pressure and are not able to build it up again without turning it off. I thought the lower viscosity oil would be beneficial in the cold of Canberra but maybe not. The durablend costs around $35 so maybe I will try a higher viscosity, the Mitsi mechanics said they used 15w-50.
I have used Nulon products before in gearboxes and it worked well, especially helping the gear changes in a manual, I don't think it would help a stuffed box but it does help one with a little wear.

Has anyone used the Nulon brand oil? its supposed to have the additives already in it. I saw it somewhere in Adelaide or Port Augusta and it sounded ok.