Obvioulsy, there must be some relationship between our 'noisey' lifters and performance or function, but to what end? We've heard from the likes of Steve Ringlee and Abe Crombie that lifter noise is characteristic of these puppies. If we keep a rationale maintenance schedule (dino or synthetic), does this really matter other than some annoying noise on startup?

My '92 (now in my son's hands) has had it for almost 75K (Mobil1), but my 97 that was purchased at 85K has never exhibited noticable lifter noise. The latter probably had dino put in it and I know the onwer religioulsly followed the Volvo maintenance schedule. It's now on it's second fill of Mobil 1. I can't believe, in light of no evidence, that the synthetic would actually be worse for the car, but I'll see what happens down the road.

I guess what I'm asking, are we chasing windmills here?
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John Shatzer, '97 V90 @ 94K