MX-5 Miata Forum - Could slight oil overfill cause valve clatter?? (2024)

Just changed my oil couple of nights ago. Ever since then, I've noticed a valve clatter type sound when engine is at idle. Kinda scary sounding. Goes away with more RPM. Haven't really been able to tell if it's a cold issue or not...I'll be figuring that one out soon. Could this have anything to do with a slight oil overfill? I inadvertantly put in about a 1/4 quart too much. It's a smidgeon over full mark on dip stick.

I'm really hoping it's not anything that needs dealer attention. I lost my OEM air box when I moved and I've got my timing bumped. I know they won't be too keen on looking at my engine due to this. Dang.

Any ideas? I used Valvoline Duratec or whatever their half synthetic/half dino oil is called. I've got to change it again in a couple of days. I tried in vain to get the oil filter off. No go. Had to fill it up with new oil then so I could drive somewhere to get another oil filter wrench..my Napa one didn't work..didn't fit. I've got the right one now to do the job.

HELP!! It scares me to hear it.

R

[ 16 October 2001: Message edited by: Davbret ]

Double check the oil level. Under filling
may cause a clatter but just over should not.
The Miata has solid lifters and lifter noise could mean they are out of adjustment. I use Mobile 1 and have not had a problem with lifter noise. If the only thing that has changed is the oil try the brand and weight which you using before. If the noise is still there check the lifters for adjustment. There recently was a good post on how to do this.
http://www.miataforum.com/cgi-bin/ul...c&f=6&t=008166

Read about half way down to the comments of MR Yoshida
Hope this helps

Ortho,

You dealer said you shouldn't have put in 10w 30? I thought that was what we were supposed to put in? I heard it was that, or 5w 30 if you live somewhere cold. It presently has the stock oil filter, but I have a Napa Gold (Wix) filter sitting here waiting to be installed.

I think I'm gonna take it into the dealer, give them the oil to use (so they can't charge me an arm and a leg) and the Wix filter and tell them to do the change. That way when they done, if it still clatters, it's their fault. I won't even tell them that I changed the oil. They'll never know since it still has the stock filter on it. Whadya think?

R

Yeah, the first thing they suggested was that 10W30 wouldn't flow up into the engine quickly enough on startup, and that Mazda told them to use 5W30 to avoid valve ticking. And I don't live somewhere that could be described as "cold". I think it might get down below freezing if I drive out to Tahoe and park the car there overnight...

The next suggestion was that my aftermarket filter might not have an adequate anti-drainback mechanism (I've used both Mobil1 and Hastings filters, both of which are supposed to be high quality and have good anti-drainback valves).

I was about to check the valve lash myself when I learned about the M-TIP and figured that was the probable culprit.

Well, I sat kinda scared after work in the driver's seat before starting the engine...expected to hear the same valve clatter noise (a la hydraulic lifters in a cold engine) at start-up...but suprise, nada!! And it was cold out too (43 degrees F)!!

Could whatever the cause have been worked itself out? I know that sounds rediculous, but as randomly as it began, it seems to have stopped. :confused:

R

Dont confuse the lifter tick problems of the M1's with HLAs with lifter tick problems in solid lifters like M2's have.

If solid lifter's are ticking, it may be that the cold lash is too great.

Randy has posted that he's seen several new cars where checking valve clearance has shown them to be outside factory spec.

Maybe this is your problem?

If your valve lash is near the margin, changing weights of oil may well be enough to make a difference?

Fletch.

Fletcher,

That sounds like it may be what's going on...to a point. I would think the 10w30 dino/synth combo oil I put in would be better than what came stock in the car. Maybe it had 5w30 in it from the factory?? Hmmmm.....

R