2002 MPV Lifter Noise

[biggeorge67@cox.net]

Just bought this 2002 MPV with the 3.0 and noticed that there is lifter noise on startup which quiets as the car warms
up. The car has 82K so I put 10-30 instead of the 5-20 and it quieted substantially. I believe there is something
called a "hydraulic valve lash adjustment" that can be done... but it's real expensive from the dealer.

Is it OK to put up with the clicking or is it going to damage the valve eventually? Any other quick, easy, low
cost fixes are welcome.

Thanks

[biggeorge67@cox.net]

Just bought this 2002 MPV with the 3.0 and noticed that there is lifter noise on startup which quiets as the car warms
up. The car has 82K so I put 10-30 instead of the 5-20 and it quieted substantially. I believe there is something
called a "hydraulic valve lash adjustment" that can be done... but it's real expensive from the dealer.

Is it OK to put up with the clicking or is it going to damage the valve eventually? Any other quick, easy, low
cost fixes are welcome.

Thanks[/b]

Update. Never buy a Mazda MPV with lifter noise. Make sure it's cold when you start it. Dealership fix = $1300.00 Private shop $800.00. Can be driven for a while, but eventually will cause a problem.
No additives will solve the problem and there is not mechanical way to adjust. Only way is to replace all the lifters while the top of the motor is off.

[millyowner]

I don't own an MPV but since no one has replied, I'll add my 2-cents worth.

Hydraulic lash adjusters are inherently self-adjusting. If using different weights of oil make any difference or if the noise goes away when the engine is warmed up, it's a good bet your engine uses the hydraulic variety. Solid lifters require adjustment using a feeler gauge and shims to bring them into spec (typically every 125,000 miles or so), when a few of them are too far out of spec, it sounds like the engine is powering a sewing machine no matter how warm or cold the engine is.

Hydraulic lash adjusters typically get noisy when oil sludge builds up inside them or they wear out. My 2.5L V6 Millenia used hydraulic lash adjusters and I had a little noise at engine start as well; especially when it was cold outside. After a 1,500 mile Auto-RX treatment, I heard nothing but silence. Even cheapo 10w30 in the dead of winter gave me zero lifter tick at start up. Testimonials suck as far as endorsing a product but if you're looking for a (relatively) cheap fix, you can get some at auto-rx.com. But you won't be happy with the price of just one bottle. Also, there really is no need to fix it. Lash noise is really more of a nuisance unless it progresses to detrimentally affecting engine performance somehow.

[mjlorenzi@yahoo.com]

I don't own an MPV but since no one has replied, I'll add my 2-cents worth.

Hydraulic lash adjusters are inherently self-adjusting. If using different weights of oil make any difference or if the noise goes away when the engine is warmed up, it's a good bet your engine uses the hydraulic variety. Solid lifters require adjustment using a feeler gauge and shims to bring them into spec (typically every 125,000 miles or so), when a few of them are too far out of spec, it sounds like the engine is powering a sewing machine no matter how warm or cold the engine is.

Hydraulic lash adjusters typically get noisy when oil sludge builds up inside them or they wear out. My 2.5L V6 Millenia used hydraulic lash adjusters and I had a little noise at engine start as well; especially when it was cold outside. After a 1,500 mile Auto-RX treatment, I heard nothing but silence. Even cheapo 10w30 in the dead of winter gave me zero lifter tick at start up. Testimonials suck as far as endorsing a product but if you're looking for a (relatively) cheap fix, you can get some at auto-rx.com. But you won't be happy with the price of just one bottle. Also, there really is no need to fix it. Lash noise is really more of a nuisance unless it progresses to detrimentally affecting engine performance somehow.[/b]

Just bought an older (1992) MPV for some visiting family this summer. As others have mentioned, there is some lifter noise when first starting up. I'm getting the sense I don't need to worry about it unless it persists after the engine is warmed up. As long as it gets my sister and her family through 5 weeks of camping I'll be happy.