LT4 lifter noise

[Larry McIntosh]

I was wondering if anyone has this happen when car sits for a while. When I first start up I get lifter noise for a very short time, after driving and turning it off it does not do it. It sometimes sits for 24 hours and does it.

 

[So Bay Vetter]

Yep, mine does the same thing. I'm guessing since the LT4 has a more aggressive cam, it takes a few seconds for oil to pump up and re-lube the lifters after sitting/cooling down.

 

[LT4man]

Maybe a previous owner was not that good with their maintenance.

Choice of oil could have an effect on cold starts.

My LT 4 has over 100,000 miles and there is no lifter noise upon cold starts. I have changed the oil every 3-6,000 miles since new with quality synthetic oils.

SAVE THE !

 

[Hib Halverson]

I was wondering if anyone has this happen when car sits for a while. When I first start up I get lifter noise for a very short time, after driving and turning it off it does not do it. It sometimes sits for 24 hours and does it.

What brand and weight of oil are you using? How many miles on the engine? What is the car's history as far as oil changes?

 

[Larry McIntosh]

The vette has 50,000 miles on it, mobile 5w 30w synthetic. I bought the vette with 47,500 miles on it. I changed the oil when I got it home from driving 350 miles. I have been a gearhead since I was a kid. I have owned a 1962, 340hp, 1966 327, 350hp coupe, and a 1978 L82 4 speed, all purchased new. I did all the maintenace on my vettes as I did with the oil change on the LT4. As far as I can tell the vette has been will maintained. The top of the heads inside the rockers look very clean. I I did not use the factory filter, AC P2. I will change the oil when I start it this spring when the snow leaves. Hope this cures the lifter noise. Larry

 

[Hib Halverson]

When you change, use a 10W30 rather than a 5W30.
As for filters, use an ACDelco, Wix, Mobil 1 or Bosch.

A slight lifter click for a fraction of a second after start-up is not really a problem. On the other hand, if the noise continues for anything longer than the "very short time" you say it lasts, you might have a problem.

 

[killain]

When you change, use a 10W30 rather than a 5W30.
As for filters, use an ACDelco, Wix, Mobil 1 or Bosch.

A slight lifter click for a fraction of a second after start-up is not really a problem. On the other hand, if the noise continues for anything longer than the "very short time" you say it lasts, you might have a problem.

Hib, why is 10W/30 better than the recommended 5w/30? I was told by some folks at ExxonMobil tech line that the 5W/30 would at some point be a replacement for the 10W/30 synthetic motor oil? I don't if this is true or not, just what I was told.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Less VI improvers in 10W30.
Higher real world viscosity in the 150-200 deg. oil temp range.
Tends to drain slower when the engine's cold...like drain out of the lifters.
If Exxon/Mobil may make 5W30 it's only GF4, but the Mobil 1 brand will continue to offer a 10W30 in the line somewhere.

 

[Larry McIntosh]

Well I change the oil to mobile1 10/30, and AC filter. Just have been driving it a couple of days, and it sure has helped. I don't hear the lifter noise when starting up. It did make a noise when I first started, and got better each time after that. No noise when it has been running, and starting up when warm. Thanks again everyone Larry

 

[LT4man]

Thanks for the update! Good for you! Now go out there and drive it like you stole it!

WHILE YOU ARE ENJOYING YOUR NEW OIL, PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO SAVE THE !

 

[lqueral]

Lt4

I run 10w-30 Mobil1 on my bought new LT4 96 coupe, as I store it for winter around Thanksgiving and don't use it again until middle of March or early April, so cold weather starting isn't an issue. Remember, there was a recall for the Crane (made for Chevy) roller rocker arms. Fulcrums on original rockers could come apart leading to engine damage, so rockers were remade with end clips so fulcrums were "locked in". I was able to keep one of my originals as a souvenir.

 

[nearone]

Over 199,000 pushing 200,000 miles and there isn't a hint of noise. Always used Mobil 1, 5w30 and Mobil 1 filters. Change every 5.000 miles. It doesn't even show color until it goes over 4,000. I still get 27 mpg in 6th gear on the highway, even at 85.

This is my third corvette, 72, 92 and now the 96. The LT4 is the best engine I have owned. I always traded for the engine.

My license plate frame reads, "If you passed me, I let you." I keep thinking about 505 hp, but it doesn't come in a convertible Z06. Maybe in a few years?