When I start my disco, a valve ticks for a few seconds until the oil gets up there. What is the best route to preserve and minimize damage to the vehicle? 98 disco 1 4.0 v8 126000 miles running 10-30 synthetic w/ lucas oil stabilizer. Seems to not be happy with lucas. should i just go to a thinner oil like 5-30? also replaced oil filter last night with a k&n filter with anti drain back valve. is this common? will it last?

 

K&N are excellent oil filters. You'll have no problems with it. Your oil filter is not the problem. All the oil, except for a very small amount drains back down to the oil pan when the engine isn't running. There are 2 ways I can think to avoid the valve tap until the truck build oil pressure. 1. Invest in a pre-oiler system that turns on right before you start the truck. 2. Don't start the truck. IMO, neither is a good option. The pre-oiler is too expensive for the wear little it will prevent. The Disco does not make an attractive lawn ornament so not starting it isn't a good idea. I guess pushing it everywhere is a third option but once again not recommended.

 

so what is a suggestion that I can implement on this rover? lighter oil? it sure is not going to sit there!

 

I had a slight tick and dropped to 5W30 and it has been fine ever since. It will also let the synthetic flow better at cold temps to help clean out any deposits that might be in there.

No need for the Lucas if you are already running synthetic IMO.

 

I will do that. when i bought the vehicle, i changed the oil immediately to 10-30 synthetic. it has been about 1500 miles and it is really dark. so i guess it must be removing deposits, i did not know that oil did that. i am going to change tonight. i hate to ask, the engine runs like new when warmed up, do you think that a valve tick at start up after sitting a few days means that there is little life left in the engine?

 

oh yeah what is "IMO" that everyone keeps saying?

 

in my opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Dump the Lucas.
I wouldnt worry about it, she'll do that for the next 300k.
I'm am sure it will get better once the engine gets cleaned out.
Full synthetic and diesel motor oils have a much higher detergent content than conventional oils do.

 

lol! =)

 

If you trashed your oil in 1500 miles, you really need to consider doing an ATF flush to clean the crap out of your engine.
Stay away from the thinner oils, our pumps are to low a pressure to be running thin oil while you have a noise.
If after a flush, if it continues, consider doing an oil pressure test both cold and when warm, at idle and at 2000 RPM's.
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