Is Valve Noise Related to Engine Oil?
2 Answers
Valve noise is related to engine oil. The following are the relevant reasons: Insufficient Engine Oil: When the engine oil level is insufficient, the oil level drops to a certain extent, allowing air to enter the hydraulic lifters through the oil passages, creating gaps and causing valve noise. Sludge in Oil Passages: During engine operation, engine oil circulates through the hydraulic lifters. When sludge forms in the engine, it can clog the oil passages, causing the automatic gap adjustment function of the hydraulic lifters to fail, resulting in valve noise. Incorrect Oil Viscosity Selection: When the engine is severely worn, using oil with a lower viscosity (e.g., 20 or 30 viscosity oil) can also cause valve noise. In such cases, switching to a higher viscosity oil (e.g., 40 or 50 viscosity oil) can eliminate the valve noise.
My old car used to have really loud valve noises. At first, I didn't pay much attention, but the sound kept getting worse. Later, the mechanic said it might be related to the engine oil. He explained that if the oil level is too low or the oil is too dirty, the valves don't get enough lubrication, which can cause that tapping sound. I thought about it myself – if the oil degrades or becomes too thin, it provides poor protection for the engine internals. The increased friction between small components then leads to those noises. After I started using better quality oil and changed it on schedule, plus regularly checking the oil level, the noise gradually reduced. I'd advise fellow drivers not to delay – check your oil condition early. Ignoring it could lead to bigger problems, even damaging core engine components and affecting driving safety. From my experience, the connection is really significant.
