I have a 96 Miata that has a ticking(like a valve). It is not losing oil, and the gauges all show that it has oil. It is obviously worse after driving for awhile...very fast. Whas'up?

 

My miata ticks when the car first starts then get better. So does my cuz's miata also. I heard it might be valve timming. You might have to remove valve cover to adjust.

 

synthetic oil fixed my ticking lifter problem right away. (96 miata 135 k)

 

the ticking is not a lifter it is the dhim buckets they get worn and when the oil gets used the ticking get louder the right thing to fix this is to replace the shims but if you use a thicker oil and a senthic it will help that would be the cheap fix.

 

All year MX-5 Miata's have hydraulic valve lash adjusters. No adjustment is possible. Probably are collapsing down and making the tick noise.