Just got a kia, valve tapping?????

[kiamr2turbo]

Picked up the kia friday, and drove it around for a bit. Got it from a guy at my work, and he just drove it to and from work only, short distance. I never heard it tap. Seems when it warms up, when driving for awhile it has a loud valve tap. Sometimes it goes away. Its weird... Lucky the valve cover can be pulled within 5 minutes. Anyways.... he never heard the tapping and offerd my money back, but told him i will fix the problem. Only has 100k miles, 1997 1.8L engine. Think it may be just a sticky valve since it doesnt do it when its cold, and does sometimes stop? But it eventually comes back. Sounds like just 1 valve. I ran some seafoam through a vac. line and didnt seem to help. Anything else i should try? he said he just changed the oil 1k miles ago. Short distances its fine, and it takes a long time to warm up so think the thermostat may be stuck open. Im going to change the oil again, and use a semi-synthetic oil and add some lucus oil stabilizer to the oil and see if that helps. Any other suggestions?

[ron1004]

Welcome to the forum.

It may be worn hydraulic valve lifters, or a problem with oil pressure.
I would first try a good oil of the correct viscosity and a new oil filter and see how that goes.

If in fact the thermostat is removed or stuck open, this would cause undue engine wear with the engine operating at a lower than design temperature.

You might want to reconsider the offer of returning the car to your colleague.

[kiamr2turbo]

I live in PA, where we have hot summers and cold winters. Right now its 97 degrees. What oil would you reccomend? I was thinking of going with some typw of semi-synthetic blend. or maybe a high mileage oil, with a bit of lucus stabilizer. I dont mind spending the extra money if it will help. I run full synthetic royal purple in my MR2 turbo. of cource its pushing about 375rwhp.

[jcwit]

I have a KIA Rio and use Mobil 1 10/30, hint use a premiun filter not a fram to stop oil drain back. Might as well forget the Lucus, just a waste of money. BTY Mobil 1 is the factory fill on Corvettes, must be pretty good.

[jgg1974]

Originally Posted by kiamr2turbo

I live in PA, where we have hot summers and cold winters. Right now its 97 degrees. What oil would you reccomend? I was thinking of going with some typw of semi-synthetic blend. or maybe a high mileage oil, with a bit of lucus stabilizer. I dont mind spending the extra money if it will help. I run full synthetic royal purple in my MR2 turbo. of cource its pushing about 375rwhp.

Know this is an old post, but 10/30 in summer, 5/30 in winter, but this car seems to like 5/30 all year long...