I know this may have been asked before, well here goes again, hopefully in a little more detail.

I have a 2000 TJ 3.5 magna, it has done 102000km,

It has a full service history from new but unfortunaty went for 14000km without a service by the first owner from 84K km to 98K km and then serviced from then.

It does have very clean oil and no sludge and i have just done the following,

Timing belt / waterpump and 3 platinum and 3 normal plugs.
Filter and oil changed for Penrite 15 (15w40)

Now, before this service and oil change i was getting an intermittent lifter noise (1 or 2 lifters only).

Now after the service it is still there,

sometimes straight from starting cold for 3 to 5 minutes,
sometimes nothing when cold and then it starts when it is warmed up,
sometimes fading in and out during idleing.

It also will immediatley stop when touching the throttle.

I have read and been told that Fortron engine flush "should" do the trick, just warm up the engine pour it in and idle for 15 minutes, drain oil, fill with a cheap oil and run for 10 minutes then dump the filter / oil and refill with Penrite 10 (5W30) or alike and fit a new filter.


HAS ANYONE HAD ANY SUCCESS WITH THIS TECHNIQUE?

I have noticed that with a long run (100km since service / oil change) to work it now seems to not be as regular, the Mitsu dealer could not replicate it before or after fitting the timing belts etc ,(i didnt buy the car from this dealer by the way) and he was the one who suggested the engine flush....and gave me a bottle for free to try.

So if you have had success please let me know, or if you have any other tips drop us a line.

Thanks in advance
Chris

I use engine flush every oil change.

Not sure exactly how much flush it helps, but some people also use diesel. Dump oil, fill sump with diesel and turnover the engine a few times (crank starter with ignition/EFI disabled). I haven't yet had the guts to try it.

If the oil looks pretty black, I did a double change.

For older engines, might try a thicker oil - maybe even 20W-50.


It has a full service history from new but unfortunaty went for 14000km without a service by the first owner from 84K km to 98K km and then serviced from then.
Factory recommends 15,000 intervals :doubt: so that's legit.

But I'll oil change mines every 5000.

Suggest you check your information, as Penrite HPR10 is 10w50 and HPR15 is 15w60.I have found HPR 15 is best for helping/curing lifter noise (better than HPR 10). Why I don't know. Generally they say thinner oil (lower number before the W) will flow more easily and get to the lifters quicker and quieten them, but I am thinking even when you start the car thicker (more viscous) oil is better, as it will give higher oil pressure and so will get there quicker...it will force it's way there. All this so long as the oil flows into the pump i.e. you are not in freezing conditions i.e. not at a temp below the pour point. I have tried different brands, viscosities (even 5W30) and found the HPR 15 best. My car still sometimes has noise on start up for a few minutes. The only other option I have is to remove the rocker assembly and check that all oil passages are clear (reluctant to use any flush/diesel/diesel grade engine oil). I have trouble only with front bank of cylinders and have replaced all lifters.The only way is to use best quality oil at all times and do regular oil changes. Yes Mitsu specify 15000 km but this is too long.

Somebody reccomended Nulon Worn Engine Treatment, I used some, seems to do a decent job of quietening it. Costs $10.

But this does not "fix" whatever the problem is, it just hides it...

Cheers ****ie,

the viscosity figures were just from memory, but i agree, the 15 is a good oil and 15000km is far to long between oil changes, this mabe the reason so many people have lifter noise issues?

next time my motor starts making noise, i'm gonna try this (http://forums.probetalk.com/archive/index.php/t-4052.html)

any body with lifter problems use Proma NBL8 comes in a smalll black bottle not common but the best stuff out stops my mates lifter noise in his magna with 260,000km on it but need to put in with each oil change but only 50ml.
For a bottle of 350ml it will cost a hundred odd bucks not sure where to get it from though but its majic