Miata Mailing List: May 1998, Message #129

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Assuming that your oiling system is working properly (good pump, 
pressure, clean quality filter, etc), you may be suffering an oil 
frothing problem.  If there's enough air suspended in the oil the 
lifters will have trouble staying pumped up.  I would try switching 
oil brands (perhaps a synthetic)  before resorting to new lifters.

> Get rid of the 20w50.  If I run anything greater then 5w30 in my wifes car it
> ticks very loudly.  
> 
> >>I recently changed my oil to 20w50 and the clatter went away. Now it started
> up again worse than ever. Now I seem to get them after a long hard
> drive.(highway driving.) When I come to a stop They it still happens. It seems
> like they don't clatter as often in city driving. Also I noticed a puff of
> white smoke from the exhaust  and exhaust smell on the way home from work
> today. Any ideas? Thanks.
> 
>