I haven't started my Beretta in about a month and just got it fired up the other day, seems to idle fine and all but there is a very steady tick coming from the engine. Could one of the valves be stuck since it hasn't been run in awhile? I didn't notice this tick before I stopped driving the car, but that doesn't mean it wasn't happening. I still haven't driven the car, but I let it run a good 30-40 mins, revved it up to about 2500rpms-2800rpms and held it there for several mins hoping to lube the internals up good, but the ticking still persisted, I was hoping that lubing the engine up may have stopped the ticking but it didn't seem to help. Any thoughts on what this ticking could be?

Tickiing is usually a dry lifter. But 2 other decieving problem that sound near the same, spark leak and a cracked/leaking exhaust manifold.

I thought it may be a dry lifter since the car hadn't been run in a month, but I let it run for a good 30-40 mins. How long does it take to get the lifters lubed up?

s/b almost instant because the pump is pushing

I thought it may be a dry lifter since the car hadn't been run in a month, but I let it run for a good 30-40 mins. How long does it take to get the lifters lubed up?

Depends on engine wear, but usually a few seconds is the longest. The lifter galleys get straight oil pump pressure.

Depends on engine wear, but usually a few seconds is the longest. The lifter galleys get straight oil pump pressure.

if it only takes a few seconds, then it must not be a dry lifter. It was still ticking after 30mins of letting the engine run. Any idea's of what else it could be??

It could be a sticky or collapsed lifter. When was the last time the oil was changed? Is there sludge in the engine?

My 3100 ticks when it wants an oil change..

It could be a sticky or collapsed lifter. When was the last time the oil was changed? Is there sludge in the engine?

It's been less than 3,000 miles since the last change, but it's been longer than 3 months. The engine has 135k miles on it, so it may be fairly sludgy in there. It's been reccomended that I run a half quart of ATF in place of a half quart of oil for my next oil change to clean the system. Hopefully that'll clear up any sludge and sticky lifters.

If it's that sludged up, you may not want that back in your oilpan. That gunk can clog up the oil pump screen.

If it's that sludged up, you may not want that back in your oilpan. That gunk can clog up the oil pump screen.

Any way to flush the system and get all the sludge out?

I've used the oil treatment products you can buy that you add to your crankcase. It is suppose to clean lifters and engine parts. If it is a sticky gummed up lifter it will free it. if it is something else you will still have the noise.

Worked a few times for me on older cars.

I've always drain a quart of oil out n replace it with diesel n run it about a day. Drain the oil and leave the plug out. Remove both rocker covers n pour diesel over both banks of rockers so that it flows down the oil returns. Pour enough until clean diesel comes out the pan hole. This flushes all the gunk on the bottom of the pan out the drain hole. I suppose this is a long way to do it, but I've never had a failure..

I've always drain a quart of oil out n replace it with diesel n run it about a day. Drain the oil and leave the plug out. Remove both rocker covers n pour diesel over both banks of rockers so that it flows down the oil returns. Pour enough until clean diesel comes out the pan hole. This flushes all the gunk on the bottom of the pan out the drain hole. I suppose this is a long way to do it, but I've never had a failure..

I've been doing the transmission fluid thing, and recommending the same, now for about 20 years. Also, I've heard of people doing the diesel thing for about the same amount of time, but I just can't see how that can be good on the bearings. It could also dislodge chunks of sludge that then plug up the oil pump screen - not good. ATF will dissolve the sludge, not cause it to break off in large chunks. On lesser engines (Ford :evillol: ), chunks that get past the bypass hole in the screen can wedge in the pump gears and break the hexagonal oil pump driveshaft, causing even more problems, headaches and wallet-lightening moments.

Another thing to think about is the ability of the diesel to break down the lubricating properties of motor oil - something that ATF will not do.

It's only in there a day, so I'm not sure how it could "break down" the oil. Doesn't diesel come from the same base that engine oil does? I also don't believe any bearing damage will result since there is still 4 quarts of oil. But, it is a matter of preference..

Gas, diesel, kerosene, all come from the same place. Oil is found in the ground and basically boiled. Earthen Oil gives off different substances which are then collected at different temperatures to get what we use. Diesel has allot of lubricating properties. SO I cant see it hurting the engine much.

It's only in there a day, so I'm not sure how it could "break down" the oil. Doesn't diesel come from the same base that engine oil does? I also don't believe any bearing damage will result since there is still 4 quarts of oil. But, it is a matter of preference..

It will thin it down too much. Yes, diesel has some lubricating properties, that are good for the upper cylinder but not so much for the bearings.

And yes, diesel comes from the "same substance" that mineral oil used to make motor oil does, but so does gasoline and I'm quite sure that you'll agree with me that it's not a good idea to run an engine with one quart of gasoline in the oil pan. In the end though, it's your engine and your bearings - don't let me persuade you against it.

so what method would you use?? The trans fluid, or another chemical like motor flush that is found at auto stores??

so what method would you use?? The trans fluid, or another chemical like motor flush that is found at auto stores??

I use one quart of ATF (Dexron III - Do NOT use Type F as this contains abrasives) in the oil on a sludgy engine for about 400 miles - one full tank of gas.

Change the oil filter before and again after the ATF treatment.

ATF is equivalent to 5w20 motor oil in viscosity. It's obviously not good for the engine over long periods for just that reason, but it beats the 0w0.5 viscosity of diesel.

but what in it removes all the sludge?

but what in it removes all the sludge?

It has copious amounts of detergents - the same detergents in motor oil but in a much higher percentage.

Do this - next time you have been working on your car, and you have that "dry grease" all over your hands and thick, instead of using your favorite soap (i.e. Fast Orange etc), use some ATF instead. Rub the ATF all over the grease and use a towel to wipe it off. You might be surprised.

And yes, after I've been working underneath the car, I clean up with ATF.

ok,

I have a silhouette with 255,000 on it and last time I changed the oil I noticed some black deposits on the valve springs and the inside the valve cover. What procedure should I use? What would you do exactly to clean that gunk out?

If it's that bad, I pull the top half of the engine and clean it. It gives me a chance to replace failure-prone gaskets.As for the deisel thinning the oil, yeah it may thin it a bit, but my oil pressure gauge doesn't show it. Plus I've got over 200,000 on it now, and did the flush at 100,000..

Let me rephrase. If it's just some spots here and there and no chunks of gunk, I wouldn't worry..

whats the procedure for trans fluid? 1 quart in oil pan?? How long do I let it in there??

whats the procedure for trans fluid? 1 quart in oil pan?? How long do I let it in there??

Ugh. Please try to read what I post - the answer to this question is about 4 posts in front of this (post #19).

Corning - the oil PRESSURE isn't the issue, the oil WEDGE on the bearing is. This wedge breaks down with the diesel thinned oil - much more likely to encounter a metal-to-metal contact. This is what I meant by "breakdown of lubricating properties".

i thought you posted that but last night when I went through the postings I missed it and couldnt find that again...thus posting what I did. Sorry and thanks...I am going to try it.