Miata Mailing List: October 1992, Message #21
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   From: (none)
Subject: Re: Noisy valves/lifters
   Date: (none)

> only 3 cylinders were firing.

This happens to me once in a while too, usually when I start my Miata for the
first time after washing it the day before.

> Anyone else had problems with your Miata after letting it
> sit for a week or so?

I notice valve chatter during the first few seconds of a cold start when:
a- I drove hard and hot the previous day and parked it right afterward, or
b- I leave the car sitting for a week.

My theory to explain the first one is that driving for a long time with the
revs up high (4000-7000 rpm) thins the oil so that when I get home and park
it in the garage overnight the oil drains completely to the bottom of the
engine.  The oil has lost most of its viscosity.  There is no valve chatter
when I only commuted or ran errands the day before -- that is, when I drive
more sedately.  Hmmm, maybe I do need to run a synthetic oil.

My theory to explain the second one is the obvious one, time.  Gravity works
and it just pulls the oil off those nice smooth surfaces when given enough
time.  So after a long sittin' spell all the oil has drained out from the
top and it takes a few seconds to get it back up there.

But what do I know?

--
Michael J. Abbott		mja@kpc.com
Kubota Pacific Computer Inc.	Santa Clara, CA		408-987-3303