First let me say, I’ll probably be repeating what’s already been said 
But it’s just another view point.
Bass1204 - 18 March 2011 12:48 AM
I need some advise. I recently started hearing a lifter noise when I start my truck in the mornings. It will last 5 to 15 seconds and then stop.
I’ve heard mutiple reasons for this.
One side will tell you it’s because your oil is “too thick” and so that noise you are hearing is the metal-to-metal contact, until the oil “gets to where it’s supposed to go”....
Then you got the other side of the fence that will tell you, oh just ignore it, put a heavier weight oil in there and it’ll go away.
First off the truck:
2004 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner Xtra cab. 2.7L 4 cyl. (holds 4.5 qt. of oil) I think the noise in the lifter is from sludge buildup.
I added 32oz of Lucas Oil treatment and 3.5 qt. of Castrol GTX Superior Sludge Protection, and a new filter.
How has maintenance been on the truck? Are you the only/first owner? Or was it previously cared for by someone else? Could be dirty/carbon/sludge built up, but honestly, you won’t know unless you go taking the valve cover off 
That being said, I’d gather it could be build up of carbon/debris/junk.....(I haven’t said, but I’m on the “first” side of the fence lol...go by what the manual calls for, don’t ignore the noise by adding a heavier weight oil.)
When did you do this past oil change? Anyways, between the Lucas and the 3.5 qts of GTX - I personally would wait 3k miles or whenever your next desired OCI is.....in fact I’m surprised you didn’t come asking “before” doing the oil change? 
But yea, I’d hate to see “good oil” going to waste. Secondly, I haven’t heard much “good” regarding the Lucas Oil Stabilizer.....check Bob Is the Oil Guy Forums, many of the “chemists” there seem to think it’s primarily a “viscosity” (thickness) improver, with very little “additive” (be it solvent, or whatever....). Lucas may be good for the old tractor, to keep the engine together and spinning right, but I’d keep it away from the modern vehicles....then again, the Lucas fans probably say the same about MMO, so just take it all with a grain of salt
If I do have buildup, is MMO the answer?
Long story short? Depends who you ask But if you read through these forums, you will find many people that have “fixed” noisy/dirty engines, injectors, etc. with Marvel Mystery Oil; personally, I am a believe, and so I would answer your question with a yes.....but that’s just me. MMO is an oil based additive, with a light solvent; so it works “slowly” to clean up debris and possible sludge in your engine, and then suspend the debris within the motor oil. Which is the reason why Marvel only recommends keeping it in the engine for ~3k miles at a time. You can use it back-to-back(-to back even....) for many oil changes, but they don’t recommend keeping it in the crankcase for long intervals. Put it in, let it do it’s job to re-liquify the crud, and then drain it out Then if you want, add some more next OCI.....
I need some tips.
Should I remove the oil pan, and clean the sludge out? Could my oil pump getting weak, or could my pickup tube be block by sludge?
That’s totally up to you. Do you really think it’s that sludged up? Are you getting a low oil pressure light or warning while driving? If you are not (and the light is working, lol....and not burned out), then I doubt the pick up tube is blocked....if you want to drop the pan and clean it up manually (some like to use B-12 CHEMTOOL or other parts cleaner.....to help dissolve the build up.....); but I’d errr on the side of manually cleaning, and just let the MMO gently, and slowly clean up the possible debris....
If I were to put MMO in my oil now, how much do I add?
for a 4.5 qt crankcase, I wouldn’t add more than a PINT (the smaller bottle, if your local parts store or WM has it.....). Remember, more is not always better. Sure, MMO is indeed an “oil” but it’s a very light weight oil, and the engine can’t run reliably on straight MMO, so you don’t want to go more than 25% concentration of MMO to oil.....
Do I need to drain some of the oil?
That’s up to you....since you recently put this oil in there, I’d run the oil for it’s intended oil change interval, then add the MMO next oil change.....now if you are extremely scared that the engine is that sludged up, then by all means, drain out a quart or so, then add MMO as the make-up oil. What I’ve heard some people do, is crank up the car, and let it warm up good so the oil gets warm, then cut off the engine, and with some mechanix gloves on, take the oil filter off, dump out the oil in the oil filter (into a proper disposal container ofc...), then start the engine back up, to let the oil recirculate back into the filter for a couple minutes, then cut the engine off, and empty the filter out again. Depending on the size of the filter, you should be at a good level now, to add the MMO without over-filling the crankcase.....and like I said, I would only add 1/2 quart, or a “pint” - whatever you prefer. The pint bottles are cheaper, but you get more for your money if you buy by the quart or gallon So whatever you prefer.....I like the convenience of the pint bottles though....
How often do I need to change the oil & filter, to aid in the removal of the sludge.
All depends.....if you really think the vehicle is that sludged up, maybe change the filter out at 1.5k miles - about half way thru your 3k mile OCI...just to be on the safe side.
I under-sand that MMO works over time, and it can only make my engine cleaner, I just need some pointers.
yeap, that’s what I like about MMO, it’s a slow, gentle engine cleaner, not like the high-solvent “5 minute flushes” that you’ll find in the parts store.
