Mobil 1 and engine noise

[Winterpeg]

Hello all,
I'm wondering if anyone with a 2.2L Ecotec has come across this problem.I recently changed from non synthetic 5w30 to M1 synthetic 5w30. I now notice on a cold start(morning),a nasty noise for a couple of seconds.Sounds like timing chain? sort of a clunk/growl/rattle.Its a 2006 so all the past timing chain issues the Ecotec's have had have been worked out by this model year.I haven't tried any other synthetic as of yet.The filter is an M1 extended service one. Any similar problems out there?

 

[OVERKILL]

Does this engine take a canister filter (not a GM guy)? If it takes a regular style filter, it can be the ADBV in the filter. If a canister.... Not sure.

 

[Winterpeg]

its a canister type filter.this one doesn't have an ADBV,mobil or AC DElco don't,not shure if any other's do or if canister types don't have them in general.

 

[OVERKILL]

Well then I doubt it is the filter. However, you COULD dry swapping it for a Delco filter and see if the noise goes away. I'm doubting it will, but worth a shot. Cheaper than an oil change.

Common issue on the Ford Modular engine that better filters (particularly the Motorcraft ones) pretty much eliminate. Not sure if this is the same thing. (Well, obviously it isn't the "same thing" in the technical sense, since one uses the canister, the other a can, but I meant the absence of lube on start up causing tensioner/chain noise.)

 

[Winterpeg]

Thanks,its worth a try,i'll let you know what happens.

 

[buster]

Try the new SN formula. Very quiet in our cars.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I've had noise from a certain grade of Mobil 1 (the regular 5W-20) in our old Chrysler minivan. Though it wasn't the same noise, it was persistent, and directly related to the oil. It was valve clatter at idle that you could hear; it sounded like a diesel. First reponse was changing the filter, with no change. Second response was changing the oil with something else, which eliminated the noise. Others with the same 3.8L engine didn't have the noise. Who knows what it really was.

Although in a different engine (Honda 3.5L), I've used Mobil 1's Advanced Fuel Economy 0W-20, and the engine was quiet as a mouse. I have no qualms at all about using Mobil 1 or the quality of the oil, but will report with objectivity that our Chrysler's 3.8L engine was rather loud on it.

I'd try another oil since the filter made no difference. Report back either way!

 

[hate2work]

For whatever reason, sometimes a particular oil will make an engine noisy at startup or when running. I've seen that said about many different oils, not just M1. It doesn't mean the engine is being harmed, but it can be disconcerting, for sure.

Generally, the solution is to try changing the filter and/or the oil until the noise stops, which is what OK is telling you as well

 

[Smokefan1977]

Im not a GM gasser guy but I would swap in a factory filter. I know on our diesels the factory filter does infact work with a build in drainback valve in the housing. If the filter is at all shorter then factory ( many cartrifge aftermarket filters are different leangth )It will drastically mess with the drainback valve pressure

If we have vehicles with cartridge filters we use nothing but Motorcraft,delco, or mopar filters

 

[mechtech2]

Sure, a filter or bypass valve can be faulty.
Maybe a chain tensioner or lifter that bled down?

 

[ottotheclown]

Me I would change back to as close an oil you had before. Remember an hour before you changed the oil to a syn you did not have problem. It is just me but I love keeping it simple especially in the summer months. This is not the first time this happened. Not by a long shot. Just check other threads re. engine noise in changing over to syn. Join the club.

 

[71Chevyguy]

I have an Ecotec in my car as well and had a similar problem recently. I thought it may have been because I was using a cheaper filter (Champ) since I got them for next to nothing on Ebay. Well my oil had about 7k on it and the engine was getting real noisy on startup exactly the way you describe it. Thought it might be because of the filter. I changed the oil and used another of the same filter figuring if it still made the noise I know it is the filter and would swap it out for a different brand. Well new oil and new (Champ) filter and it is silent. Almost like it was asking for an oil change. I had used for the most part AcDelco filters in it for the past 30k and can not say it made those noises so maybe they really do like the OEM filter better. Never used the Mobil 1 oil filter but have used PureOne and Bosch Distance+ with no noises in a friend's Ecotec.

Have used Mobil 1 oil in mine and it was just as quiet so I do not think these motors are one to get noisy with Mobil 1.

Another thing to watch out for is the tiny O-ring on the end of the oil filter that goes in the engine. I have heard that sometimes the old one can get stuck in there and then when you double up it can create issue or even fall into the motor. Make sure when you remove your old filter the O-ring is still on it. I like to put a dab of oil on it before installing to assure easy entry into the block without damaging the seal.

Plus, I have also read that some of the tiny O-rings don't seal very well in cheaper filters allowing the oil filter housing to drain after the engine is turned off. I would not expect that to be the case (I hope) on a Mobil 1 filter such as you are using. But I guess off brand filters may have that issue due to cost savings.

 

[fdcg27]

Given the design of the filter installation on this engine, I don't think you have an oil filter problem.
Some people have reported Mobil 1 to be noisy in some applications, but I've never found it so myself.
In the one Ecotec in which I did an oil change for a friend, I put Mobil 1 0w30 in it, and it sounded just fine.

 

[Durango]

Originally Posted By: Winterpeg
Hello all,
I'm wondering if anyone with a 2.2L Ecotec has come across this problem.I recently changed from non synthetic 5w30 to M1 synthetic 5w30. I now notice on a cold start(morning),a nasty noise for a couple of seconds.Sounds like timing chain? sort of a clunk/growl/rattle.Its a 2006 so all the past timing chain issues the Ecotec's have had have been worked out by this model year.I haven't tried any other synthetic as of yet.The filter is an M1 extended service one. Any similar problems out there?


Winterpeg,

I get engine clatter in both my 01' Durango 4.7 V-8 and my 08" Impala SS almost every morning! Sometime it's not bad but then again it's sometimes is too me. Initially in the morning I don't believe you have anything to worry about as long as it sonly last for no more than 30 seconds. I always use Purolator brand filter on my Durango as the M1 is too expensive for my pocket book. I tried allot of synthetics in my truck and one brand that appears to quiet the engine clatter is Quaker State "Q" synthetic. The M1 always seems to give engine clatter but the "Q" has been good to my. Cyrrently I trying Kendall "Titanium" synthetic in the 5w30 flavor and this oil for the price is pretty good stuff. It's very hard to come by cuz of the fanatstically low price. You might consider the two mentioned and see what happens.

Durango

 

[Winterpeg]

Further info,
I checked the Hengst web site and found the dimensions for
my filter,turns out there is a superseded filter that is 1mm longer and .5 mm wider than the old hengst.The Mobil 1 filter has the old hengst dimensions.I know 1 mm isn't much but that might be enough to pull the small o-ring up enough in the block to allow oil to drain back over 8 or so hours.I bought a new dimension hengst (AC Delco) and installed it.I will see next cold start up.

 

[Smokefan1977]

Originally Posted By: Winterpeg
Further info,
I checked the Hengst web site and found the dimensions for
my filter,turns out there is a superseded filter that is 1mm longer and .5 mm wider than the old hengst.The Mobil 1 filter has the old hengst dimensions.I know 1 mm isn't much but that might be enough to pull the small o-ring up enough in the block to allow oil to drain back over 8 or so hours.I bought a new dimension hengst (AC Delco) and installed it.I will see next cold start up.


Exactly my friend. Keep us posted. Cartridge filter=Always OE

 

[Winterpeg]

Well,
I tried a cold start today after sitting for about 15 hrs.
AND---the noise was much less,still a squeak of one but just for a second.Prior it was noisy for a lot longer and a lot louder.
It has to be a bleed down.I am satisfied now---the filter did make a difference.Who knows,as the new o-ring sits in the oil for a while maybe it will expand slightly and the noise will cease altogether.
Thanks for all your input.OEM for me from now on.