2009 FX35 Slight valve train and lifter noise

[Fire0nic3]

Hi


I'm new to this forum and joined hoping to learn more about what oil is best for my car. I do have some problems right now with my current motor oil. I use to run Quakerstate Synthetic blend in my 2009 FX35 with the VQ35HR motor. Then I switched to Mobil 1 EP synthetic hoping that would make the engine sound quieter. I'm now at 3,200 miles on this motor oil and the engine is starting to sound like a sewing machine slightly. Not only that but I've noticed that the Mobil 1 EP motor oil reeks of gasoline. I took the dipstick out yesterday to check the oil level and the dipstick with oil on it smelled like
gasoline.


To me it seems like this Mobil 1 EP synthetic motor oil is trash. I'm just wondering if this stuff is normal? Is there any oil out there that will quiet my VQ35HR motor down? When I first bought it, the motor did not sound like this until I started using this [censored] motor oil from Mobil 1. I'm also getting ready to send the sample of oil into blackstone labs for an analysis.

Thanks for any help guys!

 

[dparm]

Have you had a valve lash adjustment?

 

[addyguy]

I'm not gonna start a brand-bashing war, but try Pennzoil Platinum synthetic oil - lots of folks say it 'quiets things down'.....Valvoline Synpower is another oil people have attributed this quality to.

 

[Fire0nic3]

Nope, I figured it was not needed on a new car. Plus the dealer told me they have to tear apart the engine to do it, and I didn't want them tearing the car apart as they said it's labor intensive.

The dealer is saying to use the Nissan ester oil stuff to quiet the engine down instead.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Maybe you`re using an oil that`s too thin. Do some research on a few VQ boards and you`ll see that most use a 40 weight oil. Maybe try 5W40 Synpower or RP. M1 also makes a 5W40 and a 0W40.

 

[Grambo]

Too light of an oil i run, 0w40 and 5w40 in my vq35, your using way to thin of an oil. the same noise also occurred the upper valvetrain parts are coated with thin layer of oil which makes them loud.

 

[Fire0nic3]

But won't that void my factory warranty? The factory book says to only use API certified 5W30 motor oil and nothing else.

 

[dparm]

Stick with the mfg suggestion if you're under warranty.

If your car is under warranty, why not let the dealer diagnose this issue?

 

[Fire0nic3]

I did. They want me to use the Nissan ester oil. I think it's a rip off at $12.98 a QT.

 

[rclint]

No brand war here either, but Castrol Edge has been the quietest oil I have used so far. However as far as valve train noise it's just something your going to have, and it's normal as the mechanical parts are moving they will produce some sound.. as well you are worried about your engine, all combined you may think you have a problem which does not exist... This is just another way of looking at it... not to mention even if you find a oil that gives you a valve train with no noise as long as your staying in spec for the OEM recommended oil your engine will not suffer any more wear either way noise, or no noise.

As for the gasoline smell if your driving short trips that could cause the build up of gasoline.. long drives with engine up to full operating temperature solves this problem, however it's not something you want to do just drive a long way around to get the engine up to operating temp.. if your daily route is short trip ( I would love short trip local job myself instead of 45 miles each way to work) then choose a oil that meets your engine specification at least.. and at that choose a good brand name that cost less, and change your oil out more.. You will have to decide what OCI fits you best, and your owners manual here will be your best friend.. you should have a severe, and non severe maintenance plan in your oil change section.. You don't have to go strictly by each one.. if you think your not in the severe schedule, but not in the normal schedule then split it in the middle.

I for one don't think 3k OCI's are the thing, but a extended drain interval also does not fit everyone.. so the 3k OCI is not all the way out... If you do choose to use a UOA as a tool that will also provide information as to your final OCI.

 

[TTK]

Try Castrol Edge 5w30. Several people on this board, including myself, feel that this oil is about the quietest oil we have run.

 

[Grambo]

Well if the car is under warranty then, don't touch it! let the stealership deal with it! How loud is the noise? when does it occur? Morning when its cold? There can be a possible a mechanical issue so let the dealership address it!! and if they say nothing is wrong take a tech for a ride to duplicate the symptoms!

 

[Fire0nic3]

Yeah I forgot to mention that bro. My car sits in the driveway 6 days a week, sometimes a little more than that. I always go and start it up and let it run to operating temperature then shut it off to keep my battery from dying. I rarely drive it....


Ive been changing my oil every 3.750 miles as recommended by the service booklet that came with the car.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Fire0nic3
I did. They want me to use the Nissan ester oil. I think it's a rip off at $12.98 a QT.


I had my Mom run it in her EX35 (same motor) and the UOA didn't justify the $11.99/qt my Dad paid at the Nissan dealer.

Tell them you're not running that oil unless they're prepared to pick up the tab. I doubt that it's going to help anything; if anything, that ester oil of theirs is inferior to a lot of OTC synthetics.

We switched my mom's car to GC and it runs like a champ.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Fire0nic3
Yeah I forgot to mention that bro. My car sits in the driveway 6 days a week, sometimes a little more than that. I always go and start it up and let it run to operating temperature then shut it off to keep my battery from dying. I rarely drive it....


Ive been changing my oil every 3.750 miles as recommended by the service booklet that came with the car.



That is horrible for the car. Idling = rich = fuel dilution of oil, and heavy pollution. Just go drive the car for 30 minutes to heat up the oil and get some load on the engine.

Or just don't drive it at all. My dad works from home and sometimes his G35 sits for 2 weeks in the garage without being started.

 

[Grambo]

If the Air/Fuel is rich there is an issue somewhere i would start at the sensors including the mass air flow sensor, TPS, Its sounds like the dealer your going to did not do a full diagnoses. A rich condition come from many things in efi engine. is the car throwing any SES LIGHTS?

 

[Fire0nic3]

Haha no I'm not running the Nissan ester oil stuff. I think the price is ridiculous! Did the GC oil quiet down the engine?? I'd like to know since the FX35 and EX35 both use the same VQ35HR motor.

And thanks for letting me know about letting it idle like that. It won't do no harm to the engine though doing that would it? I do drive it all day on Sunday putting like 100 miles on it.

 

[Fire0nic3]

Nope no SES lights. Actually I noticed all of my cars motor oil reeks of gasoline. I treat all of my cars the same.

 

[2oldtommy]

why did you buy a $35000 vehicle and then complain about a $12/qt. price of Nissan ester oil? This is state of the art! Nissan engineers spent a bundle of $$$ on new technology and your complaint on an oil forum is that "it costs to much"?? Give me a break! Just my opinion. --Oldtommy

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: 2oldtommy
why did you buy a $35000 vehicle and then complain about a $12/qt. price of Nissan ester oil? This is state of the art! Nissan engineers spent a bundle of $$$ on new technology and your complaint on an oil forum is that "it costs to much"?? Give me a break! Just my opinion. --Oldtommy



For what it is, $12/qt is obscene. I wouldn't even pay $8/qt for it.

Do some reading and you'll see what I mean.