Engine Noise and Shifting Problem.

I just noticed a noise coming from under the hood. It sounds like a lifter knocking and I have had trouble with the car shifting. This just started and I can't figure out why. The car will shift into all gears, but seems to be really sluggish and the RPM's have to get to about 3,000RPM's before it will shift out of 1st and 2nd. The lifter (?) noise seems to have quieted down some, but the car still is shifting funny.

A friend of mine said that he thinks my oil might be dirty and that I should use Valvoline Max Life with some oil treatment in it.

I could really use some help on this one because it has me stumped.

Thanks- Nelson

you should be using 5w-30.. brand is up to you... I only use Mobil 1 full synthetic..I have a quiet noise comming from the lifters i think myself... but it has gone away since the last oil change i think. Its hard to tell exactly what the hell it is, from the WAI noise in there now and loud exhaust... has only been doing it when its been cold outside... Might have the dealership look at it when i take it back in since the A/C compressor they installed is still making the tinging noise..

My car would not start so I had to take it to a friends shop. He put it on the computer and got a Crank Sensor fault. I did change the oil and put Valvoline Maxlife in it this time. the lifter noise went away, but like I said the car quit starting. Must have just been a fluke that it happened the next day. We are still waiting for the parts store to get the sensor in so we can change it. I'll let you know what the outcome is.

My car would not start so I had to take it to a friends shop. He put it on the computer and got a Crank Sensor fault. I did change the oil and put Valvoline Maxlife in it this time. the lifter noise went away, but like I said the car quit starting. Must have just been a fluke that it happened the next day. We are still waiting for the parts store to get the sensor in so we can change it. I'll let you know what the outcome is.

You really shouldnt need valvoline maxlife in a 97