1994 Pontiac Sunbird Sticky Lifters

All of the products you have mentioned are good. There are some brands that are useless. However, I believe Marvel Mystery Oil has been around the longest which says something about their product.

I am going to explaine something that I do with my own cars that I never mentioned before on this site. Please remember, I do it and it's not standard procedure, but has always worked for me.

When I need a new car, I always get them with at least 100K + miles on them. The reason is because they are cheaper when they hit that mileage. WHen I get one, I always drain the oil (leave the old filter on) and refill the engine with Kerosene. I start the engine and let it run for about 20 seconds and shut it down. Then I drain the Kerosene, replace the oil filter with a new one, and refill the engine with new motor oil. I then drive the car for about 50 miles and change the oil and filter again to make sure that all of the kerosene is out of the engine. Kerosene really seems to clean things out of the engine.

It may sound crazy, but an old mechanic taught me the trick. The kerosene gets to all bearings, lifters. And cleans the sludge out. I was taught this when cars at 100K miles were junk and worn out. He would get them and do this and always get another 100K out of them. Presently, I have a dodge dakota with 220K miles on it. I use it as a plow truck, to haul, and drive it to work every day. It doesn't have an easy life. However, I'm confident it will see 300K with ease. (And yes I did this to it).

Please remember, this is a trick that was taught to me. It doesn't have millions of dollars in research spent on it, and you could have a lifter that is just worn out and not able to hold pressure on its own. However, if you purchase one of the products mentioned, you'll notice a kerosene like smell to it, except the Marvel Mystery oil. I think it just thickens the oil a bit with other additives to help clean the engine. Not sure. Give it a thought. It has helped me over the years and saved a lot of engines that people thought were junk.

If you have questions, let me know. As always, thanks for using 2carpros. Com.

Joe

Adam:

I'm glad to help. Thanks for the positive feedback. It may sound stupid, but it is appreciated. As far as the valve seals, over the years, they do dry out get brittle and break. As a result, the car will end up blowing blue smoke because the oil can bypass the seal.

Let me know if you have any other questions, and I look forward to hearing how it goes for you this Friday.

Joe

Sorry I didn't get back sooner. Yes it can be done as you have found. As far as the sea foam, you can't believe how many people use it. I see its name all the time here but have never used it myself.

As far as the car, you sound just like me. I could use a new one, but told my wife that the old Dakota that I use every day to plow driveways, haul and drive to work will last till 300K. It's at 220K now, I had to fix the frame as a result of a rust hole, but it runs everyday. Funny, I would feel safer in that 17 year old truck than my wife's newer Expedition with only 80K on it now.

Cars become like family. When you get one you like, it's hard to get rid of them. WHo knows, the old Dakota may make 400K (LOL). It's already getting tired, but I know it will see at least 300K.

Let me know how this works out for you or if you have other questions.

Joe

Great analogy! And great deal on the tool. Let me know how if works out for you. And I agree, you know what you have, but never know what you're getting.

Joe

Hi:

Sorry, I got your message in my email just a little while ago.

Do you only have 50 PSI compression? If that is the case, it won't start. That tells me the rockers need adjusted. They are keeping the valves slightly open all of the time. Did you adjust
them?

Let me know.

Joe
PS: It's 11:05 here. I'll be up for another 45 minutes or so. If I miss your post, I'll get in in the AM around 9:00 or 9:30.