I know I go through this every year but I want people to make me feel better. If my car sits for awhile a lifter gets real noisy. Last race of last season the car was fine but now it is really ticking loudly. I've let it run for 10 minutes a few different times, first iding, then cruising the 'hood but it's still loud. Last season I went through this and after the first warmup session on track it was fine but I still feel guilty revving a ticking engine.

Should I be worried? I am going to change the oil before our next race, so should I add Seafoam first, or is that just an old wive's tale?

Ron,

I wouldn't try additives as I don't think you are going to fix it. Other than replacing the lifters, I doubt you can fix this issue.

If it pumps up in use, it is probably OK and not likely to hurt anything.

Easy fix - don't park it run with me and Steve !

I have had mine " fix themselves " in the past so it is possible. This is something the Miatas did frequently.

The good news is that it is an easy fix if you have a spare cam box. You do want to use the late model one though. It has a better cam.

I do run 50 weight Redline racing oil so that's a little thick for this early in the year so maybe that's it.

rd7839 wrote:


That will do it. The lifters can draw down sitting for a time. Thick oil will make it hard to pump up. You will need time and warm oil to get them to come back.