Driving for several hours and suddenly it sounded like all the lifters collapsed. I pulled over and stopped. Pulled valve covers and started the engine. It appeared that all the rockers were moving properly. I buttoned it back up and by by the time I got home, 3 hrs driving, the noise had subsided. Not sure what happened??????
I just started it up and motor sounds fine, after sitting for several days.

 

oil starving? my guess is if a valve train gets damaged it is not likely to just get better by it self. just a thought.

 

Oil Level ???

 

Yea, I agree. Do you know if oil pressure tap at the back of engine valley comes straight off the rear main? Maybe the oil pressure relief valve popped for awhile? I'm a little perplexed by what happened. In my 30 + years I've never seen a motor fix it self.

 

Proper level and the mechanical gauge never fluctuated. My eyes went to the gauge first thing.

 

Anything done to the engine lately? I mean in the last 10,000 miles or so?
I have a hunch,,, But am unwilling to throw it out there without somemore info...

 

Hey Racerhog....nothing done to the engine during my ownership which has been the past ten years. It's in an RV, so sits 95% of the time. What do you think?

 

Change the oil filter !!

 

Bimm...Like Lynn said Oil filter change. Could be that simple....

But from some of my other experience, here is some thing else to look for.

Some of the older motors still get sludge up. Maybe there is some sludge down in the bottom of the pan that when the engine got the oil warm enough it may have worked its way over to the oil pick up and restricted it. Then after it sat, the sludge moved away from the pick up enough for you to be good for the rest of the trip. So.... Look for sludge in the bottom of the oil pan and in the filter.....
If that's not the case.....
It is possible that the oil pump bypass get hung open.. Maybe a peace of crap or Sludge?

Just food for thought.... Give you something to look for....

 

Thanks guys for suggestions.....
I'm changing the oil & filter as we speak. I know better than to let this go to long.