I have 250,000 miles on my 03 Accord and a lifter has started to stick in the morning until the engine warms up. Is there a quick and safe fix like running an engine clearner through it or is it time for some engine work by a licenced mech? or both? I change my oil every 3 to 5 thousand miles.

Would you recommend a 10w-50 oil now?

 

we don't have lifters in hondas they are Over Head Cam set ups. You most likely just need a valve adjustment

 

Well then valve adjustment it will be!

 

also check your exhaust manifold for any leaks. Mine did the same thing...I adjusted my valves 2 times and still have the same noise until the engine warmed up. It wasn’t that noticeable b/c I have a very loud exhaust so I could only hear it on really cold days. But it ended up being my exhaust manifold on the driver side was loses and causing it exhaust to leak from my #1 cyl causing it to make that ticking sound.

 

No, this more of a knocking sound rather than a ticking sound. It is loud but I'm sure the sound is amplifed by the valve cover. If I didn't know better I'd swear it was a sticking rocker arm or push rod but then ofcourse the Honda doesn't have push rods. It slowly goes away after about 3 to 4 mintues of idling.

Short of a valve adjustment that I will have to hire out, would an engine cleaner run through the engine or multi-viscosity oil help?

 

You should already be using multi-viscosity oil, right? 5w-20?

I used to have a 2003 4-cyl Accord. I think valve adjustment was called for every 100k miles or so?

 

so hondas dont have push rods cause i can start my 97 accord 2.2 mfi and it sounds like it has a mis but i have done a full tune up wires plugs coil pack dist the works but when i hold the the throtle down an get it up to about 3gran an let off i hear a little knockin i pulled the spark plug wire off the far right plug on drivers side and no change in mis in motor its like its not hiting the wire is firing does my vavles need to be adjusted ? ps the others are firing fine.