Hi everyone, just a new member here, needs some help. Car is a 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V, MT, 150K on it. Drives about 3K to 4K a year, use Mobil 1 only, change oil every 6 to 9 months.

Now my last oil change was in January 2008, put about 1.5K since then. Just started to hear tic tic tic noise from the engine, tic it away when cold start, tic it away when running, tic tic tic. Any suggestions? Is the Mobil 1 too old and start gunking things up? What can I do ASAP?

My friend said I should put a can of this RED stuff, like an engine degreaser or like kerosine type of liquid in the engine just before I go for my next oil chnage. That sounds scary! He said the kerosine just clean everything up and when you drain the old oil, everything is clean and nice, true or false? Thanks for any help!

 

You could run a solvent such as seafoam like your friend suggested, but only use half a can of the stuff, using too much can harm the engine or even spin a main bearing. If you use half a can of seafoam, only drive it around for about 50 miles, DON'T DRIVE IT ANY LONGER THAN THAT!!!!! If the ticking doesn't go away after that you probably have a sticking lifter which needs to be overhauled.

 

Seafoam? What is that? Can you give me more details on that? Like what brand, what type of solvent and where can I find it? Online store or any local automotive stores? I live in the Midwest area, many thanks!

 

BTW, my friend told me to use Gunk brand engine cleaner/degreaser, I'm not sure if that is any good?

 

Seafoam can be found just about anywhere, i pick mine up from pepboys or autozone. Its a general use solven used for just about any engine out there, including marine and diesel engines. There are directions on the can. Its an independantly owned company as far as i know, and its been around longer than you have im sure.

As for the Gunk brand, i don't approve, its too harsh. The best things for the engine is seafoam or Marvel mystery oil. If you can't find seafoam (small metal can) then fill your entire engine with marvel mystery oil and run it around for the same 50 miles and then change the oil. The only difference there is your replacing the oil with marvel, instead of adding to the original oil like seafoam.

 

I have a 1990 CQ with about 154 K on the odometer. Developed a TIC TIC, turned out to be problems with the exhaust manafold. Started out sounding like a valve, car was running real good though. Problem progressed now I have to probably change exhaust manafold. When I get around to it I will leave a post about it.