2002 Xterra valvetrain rattle at startup.

[6lbsoft]

My wife has an 02 Xterra XE with 135k on the engine. When she first starts it up in the mornings the engine has some valvetrain noise for the first few seconds, then quiets down. I use Mobil 5000 5w30 oil and a Purolator filter. Oil never goes past 4,000 miles before an oil change. Does anyone else have this problem with the 3.3L engine? Would going to a 0w30 or 0w-40 quiet the engine at startup or is this too thin for an engine with this many miles?

 

[Bill in Utah]

Try another brand of oil filter.

Going to a 0w weight oil will not harm your engine and will not help the "noise" IMO. If it was -40F then maybe it could help but not at ANY temp you are going to see in SoCal.

Bill

 

[barlowc]

Is the noise something recent/new, or has it been like that for a while?

Have you tried a different filter? Maybe something a bit more premium with a silicon anti backflow valve. Sometimes it's something as simple as that.

 

[6lbsoft]

Originally Posted By: barlowc
Is the noise something recent/new, or has it been like that for a while?

Have you tried a different filter? Maybe something a bit more premium with a silicon anti backflow valve. Sometimes it's something as simple as that.

It's been going on for as long as I can remember. I've tried Fram Xtra, TG and a no name brand filter with the same results.

 

[KCJeep]

I have had a lot of trouble with this, a Motorcraft S series filter fixed it when nothing else would. There is probably not one available for your Nissan but it's worth checking as they do make some "S" series that also fit Toyota products.

If not other filter experimentation would likely be beneficial.

Just looked I do not see a Motorcraft that will help.

 

[FZ1]

Try the oem filter.

 

[6lbsoft]

Originally Posted By: FZ1
Try the oem filter.

Going to try this next...