Noisy Engine with Mobil 1 Extended Performance

[The Critic]

I'm on vacation and visited my friend who has the 2009 Fit. At the last oil change, which was 9800 miles ago, I had installed Castrol Edge w/Titanium (gold bottle) 5w-20 and a genuine Honda (Fram) filter.

This time, I put in Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w20 and a Fram Ultra oil filter. Prior to the oil change, the engine was running quietly. On the test drive after the oil change, I noticed a lot of clatter during light acceleration. This was clatter from the valvetrain that was not previously present.

The oil level is correct, and there are no leaks from the filter or drain plug. The only variable that changed was the engine oil.

Very odd.

Fwiw, the car has about 72,000 miles.

 

[sasha]

i suspect the fram ultra.

 

[LeakySeals]

You also switched from genuine Honda to a Fram Ultra, so that would be 2 variables right?

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
You also switched from genuine Honda to a Fram Ultra, so that would be 2 variables right?


I suppose, but I do not see how the filter can cause clattering noises during operation (other than start-up).

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
You also switched from genuine Honda to a Fram Ultra, so that would be 2 variables right?


I suppose, but I do not see how the filter can cause clattering noises during operation (other than start-up).

Do you still have the old filter? A quick swap and test will tell you. Here's my thoughts.

Following threads here for testing Amsoil shows the Honda filter at 66.5% @20 efficiency. There is no current testing for the new Ultra, but the claims are 99% @20. If the Amsoil tests are anywhere close, you've increased efficiency quite a bit. Higher efficiency means pushing oil through smaller media pores. Under certain conditions this could (speculation) cause more restricted oil flow.

I'm using the Ultra in 2 different engines, have not noticed anything. On the Camry I'm on the second OCI, re-use. All is good. But that doesn't necessarily mean all is good on your engine. Maybe that engine's oil pump struggles with a more restrictive filter media under certain conditions. Maybe there's a reason Honda filters have that level of efficiency. Speculation yes, but enough reason to try a swap.

 

[Merkava_4]

A noisy engine is an engine that's not being lubricated properly. Plain and simple.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
A noisy engine is an engine that's not being lubricated properly. Plain and simple.


Oil or filter related noise is not something I'd want to hear from an engine either. In this case I honestly think its the filter, either way I'd want to get to the bottom of it, and no longer use the offending oil or filter. JMO

 

[chubbs1]

It is the Mobil 1 Extended Performance, the truer the syn the worse the "acoustics" I find (in some cases). I would not worry about a thing, this topic with Mobil 1 Extended Performance and others like AMSOIL (seem to be mainly PAO oils) has been brought up before and there should be no problem whatsoever.

 

[HyundaiGuy]

This very well may be a filter issue. I know there was a TSB sent to the Hyundai dealers that stated this very thing could happen in a non OEM oil filter was used.

Not sure about Honda though. I've stuck to OEM filters for years now.

 

[Oil Changer]

I recently changed out the 0w30 in my Astro for the 5w30 EP. It is so much quiter I'm going to keep using the EP.

For the record, I went with the EP only because after coming up empty-handed at two stores trying for the 0w, I just got the EP. Glad I did.

 

[buster]

I'm not sure why you're surprised. You just ran an oil for almost 10k miles then put an oil in with different chemistry and a different filter.

 

[Sayjac]

Yep, not one but two variables changed. Could be either or a combination of both. The oil and the Honda oem sieve A-02 filter was swapped for an Ultra ISO rated 99% >20um, significantly more efficient than the removed oem. Haven't read any complaints about the Ultra adding to engine noise, based on the information provided though can't rule it out.

 

[LeakySeals]

I looked up the specs for the engine we are discussing:

1.5 L (SOHC) 16 VALVE Inline 4
117 hp @ 6600 rpm
106 ft-lbs. @ 4800 rpm

Oil capacity 3.8 US qt

Would assume that thin aluminum and a tiny oil pump were used on this engine?

 

[fdcg27]

I think it is more likely the filter causing this clattering noise than the oil.
It seems as though most Japanese OEM filters favor flow over filtration.
Makes you wonder what they know that we don't.
Anyway, I don't think it's that the Ultra is more restrictive than the OEM oil filter.
Rather, my best guess (and that's all it is) is that you've installed a defective Ultra.
We've done many miles in many Hondas using many different oil filters over the years and I've never known a filter to cause any excessive noise, which is my reason for thinking that you've got a case of a defective filter.
I'd change the oil filter at once and see what happens.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
I'm on vacation and visited my friend who has the 2009 Fit. At the last oil change, which was 9800 miles ago, I had installed Castrol Edge w/Titanium (gold bottle) 5w-20 and a genuine Honda (Fram) filter.

This time, I put in Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w20 and a Fram Ultra oil filter. Prior to the oil change, the engine was running quietly. On the test drive after the oil change, I noticed a lot of clatter during light acceleration. This was clatter from the valvetrain that was not previously present.

The oil level is correct, and there are no leaks from the filter or drain plug. The only variable that changed was the engine oil.

Very odd.

Fwiw, the car has about 72,000 miles.


I think I would go back to the Castrol & previous filter.

 

[OVERKILL]

Step 1:

Swap on the old filter and see if the noise goes away (as others have suggested).

If this resolves the issue, fantastic.

Step 2:

If step #1 doesn't work, swap the new filter back on, and let the owner drive it for a bit and see if the noise goes away. I doubt there is any damage being done, noise or not. It may simply be a change in the AW package on the surfaces causing some temporary harmonics, or it could be that this oil is just "louder" too. I wouldn't be too concerned.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I`d go back to the Castrol.

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
I think it is more likely the filter causing this clattering noise than the oil.
It seems as though most Japanese OEM filters favor flow over filtration.
Makes you wonder what they know that we don't.


I agree with this theory.

I think that flow is more important than filtration in certain vehicles. Maybe even most vehicles. The difference between 60 and 99% filtration efficiency isn't actually 39%. Wouldn't the oil constantly cycling through the filter, combing 60% at each passing, bring it to 99% effective filtration in no time at all?

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Step 1:

Swap on the old filter and see if the noise goes away (as others have suggested).

If this resolves the issue, fantastic.

Step 2:

If step #1 doesn't work, swap the new filter back on, and let the owner drive it for a bit and see if the noise goes away. I doubt there is any damage being done, noise or not. It may simply be a change in the AW package on the surfaces causing some temporary harmonics, or it could be that this oil is just "louder" too. I wouldn't be too concerned.


Step 3:

Apply MaxLife 10w30 and watch the noise go away.

 

[Clevy]

Every engine I ever put mobil 1 into made more noise,so i dont use it anymore.I doubt very much that its translatimg into more wear though as tig has been proving with his engines and oci.If it bothers you then change it out but I'd run out the interval.