My daily driver 2000 Neon with 220,000 miles seems to have some lifter clatter warm and cold. When rpms are raised, it improves somewhat. Running 20w50 oil, up from 5w30 from previous owner which occasionally caused the oil pressure light to flicker at stoplighstoplights. Car runs great and passed smog with flying colors. Just trying not to flog much past 4500 rpm on acceleration (no tach), which is tough sometimes on freeway onramps. Any possible faults for the noise and potential slightly low oil pressure?

 

Sounds to me like a 2.0 liter engine with 220K on it. Since they don't have lifters, they eventually get excessive clearance between the rocker and the valve stem from camshaft wear and valves slamming into the head, which will make them noisy. The oil pressure drops as things wear, like rod bearings, main bearings and the oil pump. I'm actually amazed to hear your Neon has that many miles on it. Especially if it's never been rebuilt.

 

Yeah. Actually still runs pretty well. Good compression and no misfires.