Rattle at startup after switching to 5W20

[Stephen_G]

i recently switched my 2003 sable (speced for 5W20) to 5W20 from 5W30, and i noticed that on cold start there is a bit of a rattle at startup, sounds like valve train rattle. It has 171,000 on the clock right now.

Should i switch back to a XW30?

 

[Brit33]

Originally Posted By: Stephen_G
i recently switched my 2003 sable (speced for 5W20) to 5W20 from 5W30, and i noticed that on cold start there is a bit of a rattle at startup, sounds like valve train rattle. It has 171,000 on the clock right now.

Should i switch back to a XW30?


Both are 5W so really should be the same at cold start up.
Is there is big difference in HTHS?

 

[beast3300]

Maybe try another brand/type oil filter.

 

[SrDriver]

How about the filter? Did you use the same brand as before?

 

[Brit33]

Originally Posted By: SrDriver
How about the filter? Did you use the same brand as before?


Could have a different cold start bypass pressure setting?

 

[Rand]

switch to a different oil filter.

both oils are extremely thick at cold startup compared to operating temp.

 

[01rangerxl]

X4 on the filter. What brand and part#? I would definitely try swapping that first.

My Vulcan has had 5W20, 5W30, and 10W30 in it, but primarily 5W20. Only 5W20 since 60K miles or so. No changes in valvetrain noise, but I only have 122K on mine.

FWIW, this truck has only ever had Motorcraft FL400S, Napa, or Purolator Pure One filters since new.

 

[dave1251]

Motorcraft oil filter=Ford engines or something to that effect. This is what has served me very well for a long time. I agree with the filter recommendation others.

 

[Stephen_G]

Filter is differnet, Purolator L20195, oil is mobil super 5000 (old oil was Quaker State Ultimate Durability 5W30)

 

[fdcg27]

+1 to everybody who said "filter".
It isn't the Purolator itself either, you may have just gotten a bad one.
I believe your Sable has a 3.0 Vulcan.
I can tell you from my 176K of experience with our old Aerostar that this engine isn't at all fussy about oil or oil filters.
If it is really bothering you, change the filter.
If you can live with it, run it out to a normal OCI.
The noise will go away when you next replace the filter.

 

[Stephen_G]

I can live with it, it is not a harmful thing, right?

 

[01rangerxl]

Probably not. Despite its known issues (cam synchro) the Vulcan is an extremely durable engine overall. If it's not overheating, not out of oil, and the cam synchro isn't screaming bloody murder, it's probably fine.

I bet it's making less valve noise than my Colonge V6 Explorer made on any oil.

 

[fdcg27]

Ah, the infamous cam synchronizer.
Never a problem on our 3.0, but a known isuue with those versions of the engine where this piece replaced the distributor IIRC. As I noted above, I never touched the one in the Aerostar, and they would supposedly give plenty of noisy warning before they failed.
Still, a cheap and easily replaced part before it breaks, while a potential disaster for the engine if it does.
Now, wrt the oil filter in question:
Hundreds of thousands of cars are run on junk quick lube oil filters for 150+ or more, so I doubt that a short run on what is probably a filter with a bad ADBV would be any real problem, especially during the warmer months.

 

[Stephen_G]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Probably not. Despite its known issues (cam synchro) the Vulcan is an extremely durable engine overall. If it's not overheating, not out of oil, and the cam synchro isn't screaming bloody murder, it's probably fine.

I bet it's making less valve noise than my Colonge V6 Explorer made on any oil.


it goes away after it starts, so i will probably just give it 15 secs after startup to let it stabilize.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: Stephen_G
I can live with it, it is not a harmful thing, right?


I would not worry unless it does not go away and gets worse. The only 3.0 that I known that was sent to a early gave is because of exhaust mixing with coolant and it will not stop over heating. It really has not seen the grave yet just it is parked in Mexico and is used as a chalkboard more than anything else.

 

[demarpaint]

Try changing filters, if that doesn't work switch back to a 30 grade oil at the next change and see what happens. My 3.0L Aerostar is happy with whatever oil I use in it.

 

[TFB1]

Another vote for the filter...

If it's a Purolator Classic they can be junk... I had start up noise on a 26K mi Ford 4.6 using one, no problems with the Pure One or Motorcraft... Tossed the last one I had on the shelf in the trash...

 

[Stephen_G]

I guess it is FL400S time for the car, next change i return to the FL400S, or a Napa filter.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Running 5W20 makes it louder? If must be a filter or it's in your head. Right?
Wrong: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2665613#Post2665613

 

[01rangerxl]

If it was the 20 part causing a problem, wouldn't it make noise when the engine is warm and not just on start up?

Also, my Vulcan shredded its cam synchro on 10W30. I don't know that the 10W30 caused it, but it was enough of a coincidence for me to stick with the 5W20 Ford specified for this engine, which has caused no problems.