i recently did an oil change on a 1990 protege, i used full synthetic 10-30. the car has 134,000 miles and when i got the oil filter the guy gave me one that was for a gt model...so it was smaller but it still fit and he said as long as it fits it'll be fine. So now the car makes clicking sounds and i don't know if it is because the oil i used or if it is the oil filter...and idea's? i live in southern california so the temp is hot, cause i know that has to do with what type of oil you should use...and it was NOT making the clicking sounds from the vavle cover area before the oil change. thanks a lot guys

 

here's an update...i changed the oil filter thinking the smaller filter was too restrictive, helped but clicking/ticking sound still there. what type of oil should i be using? thanks

 

If the engine is used to natural oil, I would try going back to it. I have 154000 miles on my car and use the store brand 20w-50 natural oil from Walmart. I have no problems with it, it uses no oil or leaks any and dosen't make any noises. I live in south Texas so I know how hot temps can get.