Altima 3.5SE Valve tick on startup

[ClemsonScout]

2003 Nissan Altima 3.5SE 140K. Owned the car since 60K. 5K oil changes Mobil 1 5w30 (now High Mileage).

I have a valve tick at startup that goes away after a few minutes of run time / engine warms up.

I'm trying to decide how to remedy this, I was going to switch to high mileage dino-oil valvoline high milage 5w30, and do some shorter oil changes to see if I can get what ever junk is in there cleaned out. I'm also wondering if I should do a flush (don't like the oil flushes).

What do you guys think?

 

[The Critic]

Are you sure it is a valve tick? on some of these any rattle may be caused by the timing chain.

 

[ClemsonScout]

Fairly certain, this car has the timing chain noise on startup that goes away within a second or so (standard nissan thing). You can definitely hear just one cylinder making the noise. It goes away within a few minutes of running.

These are the options I'm trying to decide on:

1) Heavier weight synthetic oil (10w-40)
2) Conventional oil
3) Flush of some sort
4) Adding Marvels Mystery Oil

Since it goes away completely I think its junk somewhere.

 

[SrDriver]

20% MMO when doing an oil change. Check/change the PVC valve.

 

[brandini]

If hydraulic lifters make sure you use a proper synthetic. Don't make it more difficult to fully lube at startup, make it easier, and stick to the recommended 5w30.

I've had friends with loud lifters on 2 cars now clean them out successfully with Amsoil Engine Flush with no adverse effects. The cars were quite old (89 and 91) but didn't magically spring leaks using the stuff. It's detergent, not solvent based so just follow the instructions and give 'er a shot.

This stuff:
http://bit.ly/entflush

 

[addyguy]

I'd start with adding a pint of MMO to an oil fill, and see how it does over a 5k OCI.

Witha lifetime of Mobil 1 oil changes, I can't see the lifters being 'gunked up', but maybe the MMO will help.

If it doesn't, I'd try thicker to see how it does - Nissan 3.5's seem to like GC 0w30 or Mobil 1 0W-40.

 

[bourne]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
I'd start with adding a pint of MMO to an oil fill, and see how it does over a 5k OCI.

Witha lifetime of Mobil 1 oil changes, I can't see the lifters being 'gunked up', but maybe the MMO will help.

If it doesn't, I'd try thicker to see how it does - Nissan 3.5's seem to like GC 0w30 or Mobil 1 0W-40.



what he said. Vq shears oil very fast, sometimes under 5k miles. make sure you use a thicker 5w30 if not heavier. MMO is roughly straight 10w oil, so it will thin the oil anyways. maxlife Full Synthetic is thicker than the syn blend and meets a lot of European standards for protection.

 

[bourne]

p.s. my sister is a Clemson grad, go tigers !!!

 

[wag123]

Nissan had problems with exhaust manifolds and exhaust manifold bolts that would fracture on their V/6 engines. When started cold you will hear a ticking sound not unlike a lifter noise that will go away when the manifold gets hot enough to expand and seal the leak. Some Fords from this era will also do this, particularly the 3.8L and 3.9L V/6 engines used in the Mustangs.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Give Mobil 1 10w40HM a try.

 

[mechtech2]

Thicker oil should not help.
Your oil is presently is very thick when started cold.

Maybe you have bad oil filters with poor anti drainback capabilities? The try another brand.

Worn parts like hydraulic lifters and timing chain adjusters can leak down overnight, and need to be refilled to work without noise.

 

[67lemans]

For starters I'd try a little MMO. Worked on my Binder.
How's the Scout doing?

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Thicker oil should not help.
Your oil is presently is very thick when started cold.
Worn parts like hydraulic lifters and timing chain adjusters can leak down overnight, and need to be refilled to work without noise.

+1
I'd try a lighter oil like Pennzoil Platinum 5w30.

 

[ClemsonScout]

Originally Posted By: 67lemans
For starters I'd try a little MMO. Worked on my Binder.
How's the Scout doing?


Its well.. May I ask, who is the mystery 67lemans who's a part of SEBA?