Oil to shut L98 lifter noise up

[Skaa]

I have read thru the various on here about different oils for noisy lifters. My situation is I replaced all my lifters but to my horror the noise is back tho not as loud as before. I was using magnatec 10 40 but tried a 10 70 penrite instead and I think it made the lifter noise louder. The magnitude is basically I can just hear the ticking at idle hot and cold with drivers window down. Somebody suggested maybe the lifters aren't bleeding properly or something. I did run a torch over the cam lobes quickly while winding motor by hand and the lifter rollers all looked Schmicko. Anybody got any ideas of what I could try?

 

[Skaa]

What sort of oil do holden recommend for these cars?

 

[Grennan]

They recommend 5w30. A 10w isnt uncommon for these cars. HPR10 which is the 1070 or the Racing10. Could also try something like a Nulon 10w50 or the Castrol Edge 10w60.

Ive found that sometimes the LS can be a bit tempermental with oil, mine personally like HPR10.

LS engines are noisey regardless. If youve changed the lifters I would suggest that the noise is regular drivetrain an would stop trying to fix a problem that isnt there, especially with thicker oil.

 

[Sean880]

I wish I had a dollar for every person who came along crying about engine noises and engine problems when it turns out they have been using the incorrect spec oil and wrong oil grade in the engine.

You don't run these engines on 10 -40 grade oil and certainly not on a 10 - 70.

Fine if people think they are experts and know better than the engineers that designed and built the engines and the lubrication specialists they work with on the best oils to be used.

Look in the owner's manual. The engine takes a 5w-30 oil and I would be using a 5w -30 Dexos 1 spec oil now regardless of whether you have a series 1 or series 2 model V8 (or V6)when Holden moved to the Dexos 1 specification. Here is the current Global list.........
dexos1 Brands | GM

Try the Mobil 1 5w-30 Dexos 1.

If you have noisy lifters then you address the problem with the lifters and camshaft you don't try and fix a mechanical issue by putting a heavier oil in the engine and stuffing up the entire lubrication process and your engine in the process.

 

[Skaa]

Yea right thanks guys. I guess I was a bit pissed off that I was unsuccessful spending all that time replacing the lifters and was chasing a quick fix. Taking it to a mates shop tomorrow to get oil running pressures checked before the cam comes out. Said I cud have an issue with oil pickup o ring aerating the oil.

 

[MiKExAUS]

don't fix it if it ain't broke...

 

[redvxr8clubby]

Yea right thanks guys. I guess I was a bit pissed off that I was unsuccessful spending all that time replacing the lifters and was chasing a quick fix. Taking it to a mates shop tomorrow to get oil running pressures checked before the cam comes out. Said I cud have an issue with oil pickup o ring aerating the oil.

Going back to square one, your ride shows as VE SS, a question first - were you using 5w -30 previously, and moved to the thicker oils with no difference in the noise? I agree with Sean880, use the recommended oil, but I can understand if you had lifter noises and you tried something heavier, but if you have only used heavier oils since you've had the car, it's logical to try the recommended oil. 10- 40 Magnatec seems to be gaining a reputation for sludging oil.

 

[Grennan]

10- 40 Magnatec seems to be gaining a reputation for sludging oil.

Thats why we only recommend it for Buicks and Ecotecs.

 

[HamaTime™]

My L98 in my SSV has a bit of lifter noise, which is very common for these motors to start with. So there is regular operational noise/rattle and then there is actual imminent failure rattle you need to be mindful of.

Mine has done 66,xxx k's and I run mine on Penrite 10/Tenths 10w40 and it's very smooth, but still makes the odd lifter chatter under load (e.g. too high a gear for to low revs) not under full noise.

A jump from 5w30 to 10w40 is not massive and will not be damaging in any way shape or form like Sean880 alludes. Most performance workshops endorse an increase to 10w40 and C&A Auto Fashion recommended I upgrade when I did all my performance mods.

 

[glennho]

my 2006 ss has 98000km on it and ive always used 10w30 oil and no lifter noise at all even on startup.