NOISY OIL?

[HBCALI]

"I have used both 5w-20 and 5w30 in either of these brands and the difference was neglible on noise."

I've read many posts like this that claim "Brand X" oil was noiser in their engine than "Brand Y". I'm still not sure I understand how oil brands can vary in "noise level" (when used in a mechanically sound engine). Personally, I've never experienced a difference in engine noise by changing oil brands - whether I used conventional or synthetic. Wouldn't engine noise more likely indicate a mechanical problem?

 

[addyguy]

It's mostly placebo, but oils could possibly vary in noise transmission due to different densities of the fluids/additives used.

 

[Popinski]

For some odd reason, Mobil 1 made my car louder.

 

[mikiee]

"For some odd reason, Mobil 1 made my car louder."

 

[saberz]

Depends on the engine.

 

[wallyuwl]

I recently switched toQuaker State Ultimate Durability from Maxlife. Both 5w30. The engine runs much quieter, especially after warming up, with the Quaker State Ultimate Durability.

 

[Y_K]

Alas, poor Bill! .. He hath bore me on his back a
thousand times.. Give him a break, fellas.

Quaker State Ultimate Durability is running very well in one of my simple engines. It does seem to be quieter than M1 the engine had before.

 

[JOD]

I see there being potentially a difference among oils of different grades, particularly I could see a lighter oil flowing better for the first couple of seconds and potentially sounding quieter--and a heavier oil providing a marginal amount of additional sound damping and blocking.

I simply can't see how different additives or base stocks could make an audible, measurable difference. Until someone measures the difference and provides proof, I'm going with "perception not matching reality".

I think it's time for someone to call Mythbusters!

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Say what you will, but using Valvoline Synpower in my Subaru has made a very large difference in decreasing valvetrain noise when cold and general mechanical noise when warmed up and running. I have no idea why, and nor do I care, actually. I just know that it has made a difference for the better in my experience, and the results are real, not imagined.

After using Mobil 1 for a long time (sometimes experimenting with the weight), then trying Castrol Syntec for a few OCIs, Royal Purple once and Pennzoil Platinum once, using Synpower made such a difference that I'm not going to bother trying anything else. I'm probably going to be using it in the wife's noisy-ish Corolla next oil change to see if it helps that engine's cold weather woes.

I know Synpower is not the darling of BITOG like one or two other oils are, but it's my new oil of choice simply due to the sound issue. Others have had similar good experiences with it.

 

[bustednutz]

Synpower is top notch stuff. I've always liked Valvoline stuff. Even their white bottle is a good choice. I'll even admit that Mobil 1 made my engine noisier, but M1 is still an excellent oil. I'd use it in just about anything.
I have bought Valvoline with BOGO discounts and have had great results with it. But I have used Supertech Dino for 5k runs and had excellent results too.

 

[kcfx4]

wow thats probably the most open minded post ive seen on here!! Kudos

 

[electrolover]

to test if an oil is loud or not do as follows:
go to parts house
open a few different bottles of oil
put to ear and listen
then buy the one that is least noisy

in my experience edge is the loudest it even makes noises and blows hair from just picking it up unopened

 

[HBCALI]

Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
I know Synpower is not the darling of BITOG like one or two other oils are[.] Others have had similar good experiences with it.


Isn't that the truth! From what I've read lately, you'd think Pennzoil could also cure baldness

Look, we all have a favorite oil that's delivered good results in our applications. That's why BITOG is a good venue to share and compare. I just tend to agree that reliable products like Valvoline get little recognition. I'm currently using SynPower in one of my vehicles and the results have been very good - I would even say equall (if not a hair better) than my results with other syns.

 

[Unleashedbeast]

Originally Posted By: mikiee
"For some odd reason, Mobil 1 made my car louder."

Someone just sounded the Mobil 1 fan boy horn.

The war cry will bring the hoards to attack!

*I kid, I kid*

 

[Errtt]

I once saw a feller shaking quarts of oil beside his ear one at a time. I don't know what he was doing & I didn't ask. Now I wonder if he was checking which was noisy/quiet. He went through one after another while I was watching from the counter standing in line.