Oil change initial start engine wear?

[camrydriver111]

When I start my engine after an oil change I hear engine knocking for a few seconds as if it's out of oil. The oil pressure light is on for a few seconds as well. Due to the nature of the filter I can't prime the oil filter.

Does changing the oil cause engine wear when you initially start the engine with new oil?

If this process causes significant engine wear then a good argument could be made for extended drain intervals. For example if I am doing 5k OCIs I am doing 3x the startup wear as 15k OCIs.

Any thoughts?

 

[JoelB]

Even when you drain the oil there is a film left on pretty much everything. I wouldn't waste any of my life worrying about a slight increase in wear for a second or two.

 

[FCD]

Us bitoggers are experts at worrying about relatively silly things.
I would not worry.

 

[StevieC]

It's nothing to worry about. In my real world experience of not priming filters and experiencing the same thing I have never had an engine have any oil related problems even after really high amount of miles with frequent oil changes.

Prime the filter where possible, but don't sweat it if you can't.

 

[CT8]

Starting you engine is like putting a boat in water. It is a bad thing to do.

 

[billt460]

I always fill my oil filter with oil before I screw it on. That allows oil pressure to be achieved a little quicker.

 

[69GTX]

Certainly has to be more wear occurring...though on what scale?

Things you could do to minimize the effects if it concerns you: Use an oil that clings better and longer to the moving parts. That's debated around here a lot. The lower the oil's viscosity the more easily it will drain away...and the thinner the film left behind. I would think a 10w30 oil would be better for clinging vs. an identical brand/model 0w-20 oil from same mfg....not to mention a 10W oil being slightly thicker at cold startup giving more initial "cushion" as parts begin to rotate. That has to be tempered with frigid winter cold starts as well as mfg recommendations. I use 10w30 oil now from May-October. Then shift to 5w30 for winter...though I could probably do fine on 10w all year since a startup below 5 to -5 deg F almost never occurs here.

The shorter time you can complete the oil change the better. Getting every last drop out of the oil pan also means more oil that can drip off rotating parts. Using a top quality synthetic filter can also get you 2X or 3X OCI's before having to change it.

 

[Delta]

I doubt there's anything bad that is going to happen. The Camry will makes the loudest timing chain rattle I've ever heard on initial startup. People have logged many hours and miles on those engines without problems. The 3.7 in the Jeep is even more un-nerving, sounds like the valvetrain is gonna shoot through the valve cover. I've found if you crank it a couple times in clear flood mode to build oil pressure it's quiet as normal.

 

[Danh]

Agree it’s probably insignificant. But if it bothers you and your OCI is reasonable, why not change the filter every other oil change? Plenty of oil filters seem to be fine for 10,000 miles or more, it would eliminate the start-up clatter and it would be easier, especially if you have an oil extractor and don’t have to crawl underneath the car.

 

[turnbowm]

Originally Posted By: camrydriver111
When I start my engine after an oil change I hear engine knocking for a few seconds as if it's out of oil. The oil pressure light is on for a few seconds as well. Due to the nature of the filter I can't prime the oil filter...

I don't prime the oil filter when doing an OC and if I hear a knocking sound on startup that means the residual film of oil between metal parts is not doing the intended job. Time to switch oil and/or oil filter.

 

[BrocLuno]

All engines have no oil pressure on cold start (except for pre-lubed comercial ones). They all live on residual film for minutes (pistons, rings, cams in V engines, etc.) before enough sling oil is moving to get them really wet. Would not worry one iota about a brief noise. But, if it persists, then figure out why ...

That said, I'm not a fan of cold start rattles and knocks. At oil change it might be expected while pump is filling filter - normal. Otherwise not something I'll put up with. What oil, what filter, what engine?

 

[PimTac]

Going on 40 years of vehicle ownership and changing oil. I’ve never had a problem as the noise settles down quickly. I have noticed some engine clack a little longer than others.

 

[irv]

Originally Posted By: billt460
I always fill my oil filter with oil before I screw it on. That allows oil pressure to be achieved a little quicker.


That is not an option with a lot of vehicles. My wife's Impala, the filter sits horizontally and with my son's new to him 08 Malibu, it is a cartridge type that sits inverted under the hood.

 

[redbone3]

I always start the car for a minute before doing the oil change. That way the bearings have some oil on them.

 

[irv]

Originally Posted By: redbone3
I always start the car for a minute before doing the oil change. That way the bearings have some oil on them.


I always drain my oil hot so I usually do a decent drive beforehand until the car is up to operating temp.

It's tricky when you get under there with a hot exhaust and oil but I think it is worth it to ensure the fallout is in suspension while draining the oil.
I usually let it drain for a good period of time by doing other things until I put the drain plug back in and the filter back on.

 

[zorobabel]

Originally Posted By: camrydriver111
When I start my engine after an oil change I hear engine knocking for a few seconds as if it's out of oil. The oil pressure light is on for a few seconds as well. Due to the nature of the filter I can't prime the oil filter.

Does changing the oil cause engine wear when you initially start the engine with new oil?

If this process causes significant engine wear then a good argument could be made for extended drain intervals. For example if I am doing 5k OCIs I am doing 3x the startup wear as 15k OCIs.

Any thoughts?


My thought: you could change the filter less often.

 

[StevieC]

You could also start the car with the gas pedal to the floor and hold it there for a few seconds. This initiates clear flood mode and will allow you to crank / prime the system with oil before the engine starts running.

 

[dwendt44]

Quote:
if it bothers you and your OCI is reasonable, why not change the filter every other oil change?


Honda and a couple of others even suggest that.
Haven't heard of any problems with Honda engines.

Unless your filter is installed upside down, you can
still add some oil to it. BTDT.


My 2¢

 

[Onetor]

Camrydriver111, How about trying a polar oil? Or an oil with polar additives. Test if it mitigates the issue or it could be endemic of design.

 

[newbe46]

Originally Posted By: JoelB
Even when you drain the oil there is a film left on pretty much everything. I wouldn't waste any of my life worrying about a slight increase in wear for a second or two.


+1