Every driver knows the unsettling clatter or tapping sound during cold starts - noisy lifters, sticky valves, and rough engine noise. Understanding why these happen and how to fix them is key to protecting your engine and enjoying a quieter, smoother ride.

Why cold starts cause engine noise

When your engine is cold, oil is thicker and slower to circulate, meaning vital parts like hydraulic lifters don’t get the lubrication they need right away. This causes them to “stick,” producing that familiar ticking or engine noise. Add to that sludge buildup, poor fuel quality, or worn components, and the problem can worsen.

How to calm those sticky lifters and noisy engines

MBL8 Concentrated Oil Additive

This powerful additive improves oil film strength and reduces metal-to-metal contact, helping lifters operate smoothly and quietly - especially during cold starts. By enhancing lubrication, it reduces friction and wear.

PT5 Plus Petrol Treatment with Ethanol Defence

Modern petrol often contains ethanol, which can degrade fuel system components and contribute to poor combustion and engine noise. PT5 Plus protects your fuel system from ethanol damage, cleans injectors, and helps your engine run more quietly and efficiently.

DT5 Diesel Treatment

For diesel engines, DT5 Plus is a must-have. It cleans injectors, improves combustion quality, reduces engine noise, and breaks down fuel related sludge which increases operating efficiency and decreases fuel consumption.

One Shot Concentrated Fuel System Cleaner

Fuel system cleanliness is critical. This highly concentrated science-backed cleaner cleans valves, combustion chambers, ports, intake manifold, carburettors and fuel injectors to improve drivability by reducing engine hesitation, rough idling and ignition knock – all common contributors to engine noise.

NOTE: For petrol engines only.

MBL3 Spray

Perfect for rusted nuts and bolts, hinges, exposed roller bearings, exhaust manifolds and exhaust flange bolts, the MBL3 Spray penetrates, lubricates and plates any surface that requires freeing and lubrication.

MBL Grease

A high performance, extreme pressure, wash-out resistant, extreme temperature grease, MBL Grease provides long-lasting protection and downtime reduction to a wide range of applications where grease is required.

Keep your engine quiet and efficient

Combining these Proma Performance Products with regular maintenance, like timely oil changes and fuel system cleaning, ensures your engine stays quiet, responsive, and protected against wear, engine noise, and damage caused by cold starts and poor-quality fuels.

Explore all our performance solutions and find the right products for your vehicle at Proma Performance.