Lifter Noise Do additives work?

[RestoreAmerica]

Just purchased a 2000 Yukon 5.3 Vortec with 157000 miles on it. Have not even picked it up yet. Previous owner bought for son but never drove it. Says it has lifter noise. Has anyone ever successfully used an additive to quiet lifter noise? If so what did you use.
Thanks!

[izzy_Britton]

I used marvel mystery oil once with good results for a short while. but i have decided that all the additives in the world wont FIX a problem, just conceal it for a little while.

its a 5.3. lifters are fairly simple to replace in the truck. not easy but not the most difficult thing in the world to do. I think i am going to have to do lifters on the Z-71 i recently purchased too. I feel your pain.

-Izzy

[69gmcc10]

I have. lifter noise is often caused by a varish build up in the lifer. I have used Marvel Mystery Oil, sea foam (1/2 can to existing oil), and a quart of ATF in place of a quart of oil. All work well, I feel the most important part of getting it unstuck is the combo of said products and heat cycles, take the truck on a few long drives and get it good and warm. I would drive the Marvel and the ATF (both high detergent oils) for 1-2k miles and change the oil back to normal. if that didn't work I would run 1/3 to 1/2 a can of sea foam in the oil for a few hundred miles and change the oil again. If that didn't fix it I would replace the lifter, and since its me I would change them all out, change the springs and get an angry cam for that engine...this is how my projects get out of hand (While I am at it I may as well insert awesomeness... )

Yes they can work, but all you are doing is cleaning out build up. If that doesn't work, you need to replace lifter.

To prevent gunk and build up in my truck, before every oil change I add 1/3 of a can of sea foam to the oil 100 miles before I change it with excellent results.