Impala Forums banner

How can I quiet my engine down? I have 87 chevy caprice 5.0 v8 and the engine is...

3K views 4 replies 0 participants last post by  cwagley@sbcglobal.net 
G
#1 ·
...making this chattering noise? Someone told me to use some thick oil like 90w? I use 10w30 its winter time out in chicago but it still chatters I dunno what to do to get my engine to quiet down...im think its a lifter making that noise maybe? how much u think it will cost to replace them or adjust them? help me out
 
G
#3 ·
Always use no more than 40weight in a car..I use 5w/30w in the winter in minus conditions but I think you should check the adjustment on the valves by removing the cover and changing your oil.
The chattering is from different compression levels in each cylinder,they usually have to be adjusted.You'll need a compression tester to evenly adjust them to smooth the chatter.
 
G
#4 ·
to adjust thr lifters is a 2 beer job first need two cover gaskets oil and filter take off covers may or may not be pain depends on ac mounting two many to list with engine warm and idle try to find noise first tighten 5 / 8 deep socket and ratchet just till noise goes away then one by one lossen each one till make noise and slowly tighten till noise stops go half turn more this can be messy job do one side at a time then change oil and filter you should check oil often during adjment process as there is not much oil in pan on chrev engines runing even with 5 qts there id less then 2 in pan when runing have fun it is about 2 six packs to do this it will make diff in runing etc
 
G
#5 ·
My info may be out of date but If it is a lifter, then heavy oil will not help. Usually it is just a piece of debris in the lifter causing it to stick and when the valve stem hits it there is a clattering noise. Instead of using heavier oil , add a quart of transmission fluid in place of one qt. of oil . Run this for at least 100 miles and then change the oil again. Changing the lifters would probably cost more then the car is worth on the market although you might be able to do it yourself if mechanically inclined. Some lifters can be removed fairly easy with a retriver magnet. Others require disassembly of the engine. Your lifters are probably not adjustable as they are controlled by oil pressure.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top