Transmission fluid to quiet lifters. If this doesn't cure the sticking lifter, nothing will except replacement of the lifters, a multi-thousand dollar job. I’ve heard that draining 1 quart of oil, adding 1 quart of ATF to the crankcase and then idling the engine for 10-15 minutes before doing a normal oil change is a good way to quiet lifter noise. One of the most effective cures is to add a quart of automatic transmisson fluid to the oil and run it until the next oil change. Replacing these items is very easy and can be completed in about an hour. an old mechanic that I use to go to told me to add a quart of trans fluid into the engine oil, and run it for 500 miles and drain it out to quiet lifters, clean out oil pump, clean gunk off the motor etc Engine, Lifter, and Cooling System Concerns Some Tahoe engines, particularly certain V8 model years, are known for lifter and valvetrain issues that can cause ticking noises, misfires, or cylinder deactivation problems. Jan 3, 2020 路 I have seen countless stories from people saying that they cured noisy lifters with ATF, even techs who swear it helps more often than not. Yet it seems to work. Why Is Your Engine or Transmission Noisy? Excessive engine or transmission noise can be caused by: 馃敡 Hydraulic Lifter & Valve Train Noise – Over time, oil deposits and varnish buildup can cause sticky lifters and noisy valve operations, leading to ticking or knocking sounds. Has Why Do Car Lifters Make Noise? Certain solid and mechanical lifters do not tend to make noise, but your car probably has hydraulic valve lifters, which can fall victim to this type of problem. I am assuming it is a stuck valve lifter as it is coming from the area of the valves. I just saw a video of this guy saying if you put transmission fluid into your oil and run for 300 miles in a Chevy vortex it will clean out all the sludge and stop the ticking/knocking that I have, is this true? Is it safe? Hey, I heard you can put Automatic Transmission Fluid, like a quart mixed with your oil, and run it for a 1000-3000 miles to unstick noisy lifters. Jun 22, 2025 路 Engine noise caused by noisy lifters is a common concern for many vehicle owners. Using the right oil additive can significantly reduce lifter noise, enhance lubrication, and protect engine components for smoother operation. So we have a 2013 GMC Acadia (130k miles) recently developed a lifter tick I assume due to my wife being terrible about getting oil changes. When changing your transmission filter, you'll change the transmission fluid and transmission pan gasket as well. Also heard that some people had success just using a regular motor flush product such as motor medic can Adding ATF to engine 30 miles before an oil change to quiet lifter noise. At approx 28k-30k miles I started to hear a loud high pitch whine while driving at highway speeds. Below is a comparison table summarizing the key aspects of five highly recommended oil additives designed to quiet lifters and improve overall engine function. Learn causes, fixes, and when to seek help. Since I acquired my 1947 Packard Super Clipper with the 356 CID engine 2 years ago it has a loud tapping sound once the oil gets hot. . I tried using a stethoscope with inconclusive result so I am open to other s I just saw a video of this guy saying if you put transmission fluid into your oil and run for 300 miles in a Chevy vortex it will clean out all the sludge and stop the ticking/knocking that I have, is this true? Is it safe? Assume the lifters we’re talking about can’t be adjusted and are on a single OHC engine. ". Is there any Feb 10, 2010 路 an old mechanic that I use to go to told me to add a quart of trans fluid into the engine oil, and run it for 500 miles and drain it out to quiet lifters, clean out oil pump, clean gunk off the motor etc he said it was an old mechanics trick before they invented all these things like z-max Jan 4, 2026 路 Silence your engine’s noisy lifters. I have a 2023 Mojave and I’m looking for some input because the dealership apparently doesn’t have any real information for me. But why? A ticking lifter is usually an indication there is a problem with your oil, especially as your car ages. Aug 17, 2025 路 Some mechanics of both the professional and shadetree variety also swear that adding a quart or two of automatic transmission fluid to your engine oil will work miracles to get noisy lifters unstuck. Jul 31, 2025 路 In this guide, we shall be highlighting discussing different ways on how to quiet noisy lifters without visiting your mechanic. Learn the causes of the tapping and the guaranteed fixes, from simple fluid changes to necessary replacements. Left unchecked, these faults can damage camshafts and lead to expensive engine work, so early diagnosis of noise and misfire complaints is important Cooling systems on heavy Transmission Filter Replacement Most manufacturers recommend that you change the transmission filter every 30,000 miles or every two years--whichever comes first. 馃敡 Cold Start Engine Knock – Some engines experience temporary knocking upon startup due to slow oil Hey Folks! Long time listener, first time caller. Eventually I Discover low brake fluid symptoms, including a soft brake pedal, warning lights, and longer stopping distances. I've been reading bitog for a while now and it is well established that ATF isn't a very good detergent or anything.