Oil overfill due to valve noise

[snakedog]

I have a Civic VX 1995. The valves are noisy if I fill oil up to the manufacturer recommended level. But if I overfill by a quart the engine and valves are much quieter.

Is this related to the age of the engine? Any thoughts about the cause of this would be appreciated.

[ksa8907]

Because you're filling the valve covers woth oil, muffling the noise. I would suggest draining the oil and using a thicker oil if the noise is a concern. Or, does your engine have adjustable valve lash?

[snakedog]

Hi ksa8907,
It does have adjustable valve lash I think. I plan to get the valve lash adjusted when I replace the timing belt later this year. I'm using 5w-30 full synthetic oil.

Originally Posted by ksa8907

Because you're filling the valve covers woth oil, muffling the noise. I would suggest draining the oil and using a thicker oil if the noise is a concern. Or, does your engine have adjustable valve lash?

[Frank Lee]

Adjust the lash, don't overfill, you are NOT filling the valve covers with oil.

[snakedog]

Hi Frank Lee, I know its not covering the valves. I am wondering if anyone else noticed the same thing.

Wondering if the weight of the oil is not right since it is synthetic. Or maybe the synthetic doesn't coat the valves as well as it should.

Or maybe the age of the engine requires a different weight oil in order to properly lube the valves.

I will be getting the valves adjusted soon.

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Adjust the lash, don't overfill, you are NOT filling the valve covers with oil.

[Frank Lee]

I was thinking maybe using 10-30 might help but then again it's a band-aid for the real issue- valve lash- and probably wouldn't help much if at all.

[ThermionicScott]

Yep. Just say NO to band-aid fixes.

I can't imagine having that much extra oil in the engine is good for FE or oil consumption, either.

[Baltothewolf]

I can tell you from experience with Hondas engines, setting the valve lash to factory specs certainly does quiet valve train noise.

Snakedog, next time you do your oil, replace 15% of your oil capacity with Marvel Mystery oil. It may or may not work, but certainly wouldn't hurt things. It helped with my ticking noise on my Miata significantly.