Vehicle is a 1998 GMC Safari with the 4.3 liter V6. Miles = 165,600. When the weather here, near Detroit, MI, started turning colder I noticed a lifter tick noise upon start up. Now that outside temps are in the 20's the tick is much louder, the engine runs rough, and the oil pressure (from the gauge on dash) goes above 80 psi until the engine warms up. Once the engine is warm it runs smooth, no lifter noise is detectable, and the oil pressure runs stays around 50 psi. I think I have oil sludge and/or deposits and combined with the cold effects (shrinking) on the engine metals this is what is causing this problem. I will give Auto-RX a try, but until I get it is there anything I can do to alleviate the problem? Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.
Just make sure when you get the Auto-RX you follow whatever application you choose and be mindful of the cold weather instructions given on the Auto-RX website.
Auto-Rx will solve your issue. I'm very confident of that. You've got some restriction that can't flow enough oil at that viscosity. Just follow the regular application. One bottle will do it.
How long is your trip length as a daily driver? ..and what oil are you currently using (weight).
I drive 30 miles each way for work for a daily total of 60. And a coulple times a week that mileage is almost doubled. I am currently using Mobil Clean 5000 5W-30 motor oil. I am waiting on my shipment of Auto-RX to arrive and I will use Oriley's basic 5W-30 oil for the application.
You have plenty of time at temp states for this to work well. Oil selection is fine. When you start the rinse phase, don't be surprised if you hear a few more rattles and clicks at startup. It's not an uncommon occurrence. It's just some things getting totally clear before others that are more fouled. Your lifter should be restored to full mobility.
