Well i have been using some of that maxlife syn i bought at an el cheapo price a few months ago. I have noticed that on the first start of the day that i get a noticeable valve tick or a possible light engine knock. HMMMM. Im using an origional DANA WIX filter for the first time also. The vehicle is a 91 GMC PU 1500 4.3 engine 105,000 miles. I have had this vehicle for over 10 years and i know its quirks. I have also noticed that the oil pressure ,with a warm engine, at idle is much lower, say 18-20 psi versus 25-30 psi, than usual but it runs fine and is not starving for oil. At at speed of say 70 mph i have noticed that the oil pressure is at 32 psi versus 37-39 with other oil/filter combos. Like i said no problems but i wonder if this syn is actually a sin for my engine or could it be the filter? I have used penz, qs, castrol, st oil and dreaded fram, st, purolator and penske oil filters in the past with no problems. When i hit 5k on this oil im gonna put in some Free after rebate qs sl 10/30 and a st filter and see what happens. In case i forgot to say this oil is 5/30 maxlife syn and a wix filter, both of which im using for the first time in this engine.
Maxlife Syn and Engine noise
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I am running that same oil in a newer vehicle and haven't experienced any oddities. If I had a 4.3 GM v-6 with 100k on it I would be running a 40 wt oil in it. That is one of GM's gems, I know a few people who retro fit them in trail toys because they run forever and have great low end power but they like the thicker oil.
That engine should deserves more respect.
I don't think it's the oil, I think that engine just needs more viscosity.
That engine should deserves more respect.
I don't think it's the oil, I think that engine just needs more viscosity.
It's hard to go wrong with 3/4 of asmall block Chevy.
My 4.3 with 107k miles is real happy on 10W-30. It burns less than 1/2 quart in 6,000 miles. I don't notice any advantage to using an xW-40. Maybe when it gets another 100k miles
It has 15W-40 for ARx purposes now, but I will go back to 10W-30 after that's done. I used the 15W-40 because it was the only non-syn oil I had.
If I ever need to pull an engine out of a junk yard for a project trail rig the 4.3 is on top of my list. ITHe TBI is easy to set up, adapter plates are readily available for retro fits, the low end power is incredible and can be made better with just one cam. That makes this a great engine where you need good out ut at 1200-2000 rpm.
Even a foreign car guy can admire well done proven American iron.
Even a foreign car guy can admire well done proven American iron.
In a 4.3L, they are really sensitive to oil filter brand.
You are seeing a antidrainback vlave failure which is not in your oil filter, but in the oil filter block housing itself.
I would swap in a new ADBV for that engine and call it a day.
You are seeing a antidrainback vlave failure which is not in your oil filter, but in the oil filter block housing itself.
I would swap in a new ADBV for that engine and call it a day.
Val MxLife Syn 10/30 in my 140k+ '96 CrownVic 4.6 is running great. Decreased oil consumption some.
I will use it until my stash is used up.
I will use it until my stash is used up.
The BYPASS VALVE is built into the oil filter mount, not the anti drainback valve, which is always gonna be built into the oil filter itself.
CorrectoMundo. And the failure of these Oil Filter Bypass Valves was very rare back when I owned several SBC/BBCs. Unless something has changed over the years, this is the last place I'd look for trouble.
I thought that this oil was is a high 11.x cSt, and A3 rated? Unless this engine is really worn, I don't believe thicker oil is going to solve his problem. I'd start the troubleshooting process by first swapping the filter. If you want to try thicker oil you might consider adding a half a bottle of Valvoline Synpower Oil Treatment (Silver 15 ounce bottle) to avoid dumping perfectly good oil.
JHZR2
Staff member
My 4.3 in my 98 seems to be sensitive to oil filters:
Ive tried quite a few:
-Fram: tick if it has sat for more than a day
-Supertech: tick if sat for more than a week
-Delco ultraguard: tick if its really cold and its sat for over a week
-standard Delco: never ticks, regardless of temperature or sit time.
On any that do tick, it would go away wthin 10 seconds, regardless of conditions, etc. UOA doesnt seem to be effected.
A 5w-30 oil should be fine... I get much higher pressure at idle and under load, though mine only has 50k on it.
JMH
Ive tried quite a few:
-Fram: tick if it has sat for more than a day
-Supertech: tick if sat for more than a week
-Delco ultraguard: tick if its really cold and its sat for over a week
-standard Delco: never ticks, regardless of temperature or sit time.
On any that do tick, it would go away wthin 10 seconds, regardless of conditions, etc. UOA doesnt seem to be effected.
A 5w-30 oil should be fine... I get much higher pressure at idle and under load, though mine only has 50k on it.
JMH
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