Would simply changing the oil possibly stop a ticking in the engine, or is it way more serious?

Question

It started 2 days ago. My daughter drives it and she's still a car diagnostic dummy(ha-ha). I wonder if adding STP with the oil change would help?

The ticking does not go away, increases with acceleration. It's an old car-87 Buick Century. Yeah, I know-no jokes please! Thanks for all the help so far.

Answer 1

Changing the oil might help.They will tick if they get low on oil too.If there isn't already major wear or damage the tick will almost go away completely.Try changing the oil,but instead of using STP get a bottle of LUCAS oil stabilizer.This stuff is amazing.I have a 1995 Chevrolet Astro van with a 4.3liter V-6 with 200,000 miles on it and still no major engine noises or ticks.It still runs great and I drive it everyday.It's thick like stp but doesn't break down with heat.It gives you better lubrication on start-ups.You can buy this at any auto parts store.It's a little more expensive but definitely worth the money.It will bring the oil pressure back up too.I use it with every oil change.

Answer 2

Changing the oil will likely not solve the problem as any time your motor is making a ticking noise the damage is already done. If your oil needs to be changed anyway by all means go ahead and do so. The tick could be anything from a lifter or push rod, to something much more serious. What type of vehicle is it and does the ticking increase as you accelerate or does it go away?

Answer 3

Does the ticking stop after the engine warms up. If so I wouldn't worry about as I have one that does the same now and have had several to do some in past and will stop after warming up. (usually Chevy's for some reason) It will in no way hurt your engine. Unless the engine is in bad shape, (beyond repair or in need of rebuild) do not add STP. Adding STP will stop the noise, but in long run do more damage then good.

Answer 4

a ticking sounds like valves or camshaft wear. But neither of these would appear suddenly. It might possibly be a broken piston ring?

Changing the oil, with or without STP might suppress the noise for a while but a mechanic can tell you what the problem is. A simple tune-up may fix the engine.

Answer 5

What engine? Some toyota engines do that until the air works it's way back out of the system. Someone probably forgot to prefill the oil filter and air got into the oil passages, and lifters. ADDED: I'm curious....215,000 miles using conventional oil. Why did you decide to change to synthetic? Go back to your original oil before you ruin something.

Answer 6

If it has not been changed in awhile could be the oil filter is clogged slowing down the delivery of oil to the engine. Cannot hurt Don't need the STP

Answer 7

It's likely a valve stem. Mine was doing this for a while, nothing serious, and only cost $3 to fix.

Oh and STP rocks - I got +10mpg with a bottle of STP in my 10 gallon tank. It also turned off my check engine light by cleaning my oxygen sensors.

Answer 8

Ticking usually means that a hydraulic lifter is not pumping up or that internal clearances have developed that are not filled by lube.

Depending on the engine, adding an STP like product (thick heavy lube) might help.

Answer 9

Have you checked the oil to make sure there's enough? How old IS the oil?

If the oil is only 3-5 thousand miles old and is full, then changing it is not going to help.

Answer 10

possibly... ticking could occur from low oil level... but if that does not stop the ticking, you might need a valve adjustment