A valve lifter that’s jammed up produces a distinctive noise that can be heard when you are driving. The knocking or ticking sound occurs in the engine but it can be contained and managed through different means. One way to maintain your lifters is by using oil additives. This reduces the noise and boosts your concentration on the road.
If left unattended, the issue can cause damage to the lifters or in the worst-case scenario, the whole engine.
Oil additives are useful for identifying noise lifters and resolving the issues that initially led to it. We have given you a list of our suggestions for the best additions in this situation. You now have the opportunity to choose the brand that best suits the needs of your automobile engine thanks to the diversity of attributes we’ve listed that are shared by many manufacturers.
Before purchasing oil additives, there are several other factors to take into account. This has been discussed in order to provide you with greater clarity on the subject and help you make an informed choice on the brand to purchase.
Picking a Suitable Oil for Your Engine
Are you aware that the type of oil you’re using in your lifter may be the cause of damage? Picking the suitable type or brand saves you from such occurrences.
Some types of oil additives are substandard, leaving residue that accumulates into the dirt within your engine. Another possible reason for noisy filters is if they are old and haven’t been replaced in a long time. The latter is quite unlikely and with fewer chances of occurrence.
This leaves us with two solutions, cleaning the engine to eliminate the accumulated dirt and changing the type of oil additives that you have been using in your lifters.
You can do that by selecting the right brand of oil. The first step to this process is by checking out the features of different brands, then deciding whether the oil is compatible with your engine or not.
The brand you select should not be too thick or too thin. Thick oils cannot flow through the side holes in a lifter because they are too tiny. Likewise, thin oil is not suitable for proper padding and lubrication. This results in damaged metal parts due to the friction incurred thus altering the engine’s overall performance.
One of the main features to put into consideration, therefore, is the oil’s viscosity. While at it, take your time and read the instructions provided by the manufacturer on the oil’s usage. You can also do quick research on the reviews that other users left after using a certain brand and gauge them against each other.
You should also prepare your engine for the new oil additive by thoroughly cleaning it. This eliminates the chances of further damage, in case the oil you were using earlier is not the main problem or cause of lifter noises.
How to Choose the Perfect Additive for Lifter Noises
Our team is keen on providing you with deep insights into the most suitable ways to maintain your vehicle. In this article, we understand that lifters and engines as a whole are sensitive parts of your car’s anatomy. This explains why we have embarked on offering insights on factors you should consider before purchasing an additive for lifter noises.
There are many brands in the market. Additives range from oil thickeners, thinners as well as flushing agents. The purposes served by the mentioned types are fairly obvious. Despite this, the one required to end lifter noises is oil stabilizers. These kinds of additives enhance your engine functionality by maintaining the properties of the current oil in it.
How do you know that you are buying the right additives to curb lifter noises?
1. Thickness
Most people prefer to purchase the oil additive or oil that’s the thickest in comparison to other brands. This, however, is not a highly recommended option. As earlier discussed, thick oils barely pass through engine openings because they are tiny. To avoid making a mistake, read through the instructions provided by the manufacturer or consult professionals who understand how the engine works.
Different brands offer different usage options. This should ease your decision-making process of the oil additive that’s compatible with your car’s engine.
Oil additives outlined later in this context are unlikely to alter your engine oil’s thickness. To be on the safe side, however, it’s advisable that you carefully study the manufacturer’s insights on the same.
2. Does it Clear Debris?
An oil additive’s effectiveness is measured using its ability to prevent rust and clear debris. These are common occurrences in the valve train and are damaging factors to your lifters.
The listed products are capable of handling these issues and preventing future rusting or debris in your engine.
You are advised to mix your oil with an additive each time you change it. After this, ignite your engine and leave it running for some time. This allows enough circulation for the oil additive until it’s in contact with the oil. After flushing the pipes, your engine remains clean and its performance is much better.
3. Performance Improvement
Oil additives are made to cater to internal engine requirements. Considering this, the oil stabilizer is also made to optimize the engine’s functionality.
Suitable additives work to minimize friction. You should be careful while reading the claims that the manufacturer highlights concerning their product’s ability to offer the best performance. While this could be true, always remember that they are out to boost sales volumes and may not give you accurate information on the brand’s capabilities.
In this field, it’s advisable to consider the opinions of other users. You can take recommendations from friends or read reviews. The trial and error method is highly discouraged, but you may also decide to use an additive and see whether or not it works for you.
4. Chemical Composition
Most manufacturers have availed information on the chemical composition of the oil additives on the container or its packaging. It’s important to check out the ingredients and gauge their compatibility with your engine. The most common elements are petroleum distillates, mineral oil, and other additional components that you may be interested in researching.
The chemical composition determines the performance of the oil additive. A brand consisting of phosphorus and zinc is recommended for the optimization of your engine’s performance. Some manufacturers are not keen on displaying the ingredients used in manufacturing their products. The reviews offered here have highlighted the product’s chemical composition, a factor bound to influence your choices.
5. Price
The cost of oil additives should not make you panic. Most of the listed brands in this list range from below 20 dollars. Each tank requires one bottle so you can calculate the required number from there.
The benefits derived from some of the highly-priced additives are worth the cost. You’ll also agree that keeping your engine in good shape is worth every penny or cent.
Best Oil Additives for Noisy Lifters
As mentioned earlier, below is a well-researched compilation of the most suitable oil additives to silence your lifters. Despite the prices not being our main focus, we have still included them under each brand to offer you clearer insights. It’s also a chance to gauge the product’s features against its cost before deciding on which one to purchase. The prices are presented based on the face value of the product, and not per ounce.
Archoil AR9100 Oil Additive
Of the products reviewed in this list, the Archoil AR9100 Oil Additive happens to be the priciest. It retails at 50 dollars but as earlier mentioned, the cost of this product is worth every penny.
It is suitable for all types of vehicles and it performs all the duties expected of standard oil additives. One of them is extending your engine’s life and elevating its performance. It also lowers the lifter noises, and temperature and cleans the rust particles from the engine surface.
It functions well with gasoline and diesel engines. You can also use it on power steering, hydraulics, gearboxes, and other systems.
If you have trouble igniting your vehicle, this oil additive will help you start the cold engine. The product comes in packages of 16 ounces which should be added to an oil capacity of 13 quarts. The manufacturer advises the use of 12 ounces of Archoil AR9100 Oil Additive for every quart. When using hydraulic and gear oil, however, it’s advisable to add 3.2 ounces for every quart.
Key Features
- Can be used on gasoline and diesel engines.
- Compatible with power steering fluid, hydraulic, gear, and engine oils.
- For each quart, 1.2 ounces should be used.
Liqui Moly Hydraulic Lifter Additive
Over the years, this brand has earned itself a name amongst its competitors. The additive sells for less than 10 dollars for every 10 ounces. How does this famous and celebrated hydraulic lifter additive help your engine?
The first attribute of this additive is its ability to silence noisy lifters. It is also useful in cleaning off the particles and rust corrosion that may have accumulated in different parts of the engine’s interior such as the valve train.
The main feature that makes Liqui Moly Hydraulic Lifter additive a favorite choice for many is that it doesn’t alter the viscosity of your oil.
Another outstanding factor is that it can function in engines that run on gasoline, diesel as well as turbo. Always ensure that you have enough additives to cater to a full tank or an amount that will proportionally mix with the existing volume of oil.
You can purchase a single bottle measuring 10 ounces or go for a dozen or double packs.
This product is all rounded and up to the task. It is worth the reputation attached to it because of its effectiveness.
Liqui Moly Hydraulic Lifter Additive can enhance the mileage of your gas when used properly. The only downside to the product is its incompatibility with motorcycles that run on wet clutches.
Key Features
- Improves engine performance
- Can function in engines that use turbo, diesel, or gasoline.
- For every 6 quarts of oil, 10 ounces of this oil additive is needed.
Rislone 4102 Concentrated Engine Treatment
This product is one of the most recommended brands in the market. It offers instant results and keeps your lifters in check from any noises.
Rislone 4102 Concentrated Engine Treatment is packaged in a bottle measuring 8.4 inches with a content capacity of 16.9 ounces. The amount is worth approximately 4 to 6 oil quarts. The amount used depends on the size of your tank. If it’s big, you can use one bottle for every 5 quarts. This keeps your engine in check until you decide to change the oil per the schedule.
This oil additive is capable of silencing noisy lifters by reducing friction and getting rid of debris.
It’s also designed to elevate your engine’s performance without altering its oil’s thickness or messing with the warranty of your vehicle.
It is suitable for vehicles that run on diesel or gasoline and those that have 3 to 10 cylinders. The additive should be added during an oil change or any other time when you suppose that your lifters need a boost. Each bottle of Rislone 4102 Concentrated Engine Treatment costs under 10 dollars. The product is well worth the price.
Key Features
- Turbo, diesel, or gasoline engines.
- Vehicles with 3 to 10 cylinders.
- 16.9 ounces for every 5 quarts.
Prolong Super Lubricants Engine Treatment
This additive is inclusive of anti-friction properties for maintaining the structure of metals within your engine. It can be used in diesel and gasoline engines.
The product is designed to bond with the engine’s metal surface to reduce heat and frictional damage. It forms a layer that protects the engine from these damages even before the oil starts to circulate.
Prolong Super Lubricants Engine Treatment has a chemical composition that does not contain solid particles like graphite, copper, zinc, or PTFE resins. This enhances its functionality and mixing ability with the oils it is added to. The product is available in capacities of 12 ounces, 8 ounces, and 1 gallon.
Key Features
- Compatible with diesel and gasoline engines.
- Made using anti-friction technology.
- Reduces metal friction by creating a protective layer on the surface.
BestLine Premium Engine Treatment
BestLine Premium Engine Treatment is another good-performing additive used for pre-cleaning. It is capable of reducing lifter noises and breaking debris and rust which inhibit oil circulation within the engine.
One way to enhance your engine’s performance is by changing its oils regularly. This reduces wear, temperature, and friction. Harmful emissions caused by oil dirt are also reduced by 75% through this method. The oil additive is recommended for its environment-friendliness. A bottle measuring 16 ounces retails at a price lower than 20 dollars.
BestLine Premium Engine Treatment is added to replace approximately 10 to 15% of the oil. It is suitable for use with different oil types.
Key Features
- Compatible with different oil types.
- Suitable for replacing 10 to 15 % of the oil in the tank.
- Environmental friendly- lowers the risk of harmful emissions.
zMAX 51-212 Easy to Use Engine Treatment
The appealing scientist-packaging design is as inviting as the quality of this additive. Its effect on your vehicle’s engine is nothing short of amazing.
Its particles are micro-lubricant. This enhances its ability to break down the rust particles layered inside the engine’s pathways as well as those that are floating toward the top.
This oil additive is good for cleaning the engine thoroughly. It protects different parts of the engine against the wearing caused by friction.
By using this additive, your engine’s durability is enhanced and its performance is also improved.
zMAX 51-212 is easy to use. One bottle holds 12-ounce and it should be used for every 7 quarts of oil. For tanks with a higher volume, each extra quartz after the 7th should get 2 ounces of the additive.
The price range of this product is below 20 dollars.
Key Features
- Compatible brand any oil type
- Curbs emissions
- Every 7 quarts of oil should be mixed with 12 ounces of the additive.
CD 2 Marvel Mystery Oil MM12R
This additive is among the most reliable and trustworthy brands available in the market. The price range for 16 ounces is slightly over 10 dollars. The additive is sold on a double-pack, single bottles with a capacity of 32 ounces or a 6-pack of the same.
Is it capable of eliminating lifter noises? The answer is yes! The chemical composition of this additive comprises phosphorus, tricresyl phosphate, and other ingredients meant to boost your engine’s cleanliness and performance. It is effective in reducing friction and getting rid of rust particles.
It is usable with both 4 and 2-cycle oils. CD 2 Marvel Mystery Oil MM12R can also be added to synthetic oil as well as conventional ones.
When changing your oil, you can leave 20% of the space in your tank to accommodate this additive for a perfect swap. For a tank capacity of 5 quarts, let the oil take up 4 quarts while the additive occupies the remaining one.
If you are using the 2 and 4-cycle oils, use ½ to 1 ounce of additive for each gallon. When using this additive as an alternative to fuel treatment, add 4 ounces to every 10 gallons. This product is available in 4-pack gallons and single-gallon bottles. Bulk buying saves you money and brings immense changes to your engine in regard to its performance.
Key Features
- It can be added to ethanol, diesel, and gas fuels.
- Compatible with 2 and 4-cycle oils, synthetic and conventional oils.
- It takes up 20% of the space that’d have been taken up by oil.
Red Line 81403 Engine Break-In Oil
The cleaning abilities portrayed by this product make it worth the purchase. The phosphorus and zinc combination enhances its effectiveness. The product’s price is less than 20 dollars and this is worth the silence that you’ll be enjoying from your lifters for a while.
The performance improvement of your engine is worth noting. Its valve train is also well cared for by the anti-wear properties present in zinc and phosphorus. Another merit is the enhancement of your vehicle’s cooling system which is bound to experience lower temperatures.
16 ounces of this is worth treating 12 quarts. One bottle can cover two rounds or you can use it in two engines. You can purchase it in single packages or a dozen packs if you want to save your money.
The additive works with any type of motor oil.
Key Features
- Suitable for synthetic and conventional oils
- Contains phosphorus and zinc to boost performance.
- For every 12 quarts, you’ll need 16 ounces of this product.
What Makes Lifters so Important?
Lifters make up the parts of an engine that help in lifting pushrods. When lifted, these bars move upwards and cause the valves to open. This system is called the valve train. To ease this process, these parts must be well-lubricated. For this reason, lifters have small holes that allow motor oil to flow in.
The valve train works at maintaining silence inside an engine. Other lifters assigned different functions include:
- Hydraulic valve lifters– These kinds of lifters are more common than the others. They are mainly used in passenger cars due to their self-adjusting design. These valves are highly convenient for use.
- Solid lifters– This type requires the user to carry out manual adjustments. They are suitable for the engines of vehicles that take part in racing. Compared to hydraulic valve lifters, solid lifters are less noisy.
- Roller lifters– These are a cross between solid lifters and hydraulic valve lifters, in that they may possess similar features. Rollers are designed to minimize friction between the lifter and the camshaft. This helps in noise reduction.
When taking your vehicle to a mechanic for servicing, checking the valves should be mandatory. A professional is likely to notice when your car requires a valve adjustment or the removal of a pushrod that may be bent. This explains why servicing your car regularly is important.
Conclusion
The oil additives reviewed in the above list are highly recommendable. Judging from their features, you can tell that your engine will be silenced until there’s a need to change the oil again.
In addition to the insights provided in this context, you can carry out more research on the product of your choice and learn from the experiences of other users.
Bottom line, the easiest way to ensure that you’re getting a smooth and noiseless ride in your car is by using oil additives and servicing your vehicle regularly.
Related: Do You Need Quiet Performance Mufflers that Improve Speed and Horsepower?
Last update on 2023-07-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API