valve ticking - different PF-52 equivalents

[JHZR2]

Hi,

I have a 98 S-10 ZR2, with the oil cooler and horizontally mounted filter accessible through the skid plate... I have always used AC delco PF-52 or UPF-52 filters in the truck. I thought Id try a few different things, and here is what happened:

-Rotella Synth 5w-40, fram filter: valve ticking when below 50
-Rotella Synth 5w-40, supertech filter: valve ticking when below 30
-Castrol GTX 5w30, supertech filter: valve ticking belov 30, much shorter than previous.

I never noticed this before, when using the AC-delco filters. I want to go with a synthetic oil all the time, so I am going to use the AC delco UPF52 filter, that states superior flow.


Has anyone else found this to be a problem when using these filters? Seems odd since it doesnt happen with the ac delco.

I use a supertech in my mother's plymouth breeze (2.0L) and its fine, never notice sounds.

Any info on this phenomenon, especially considering that according to the oil filter test, the fram has one of the smallest pressure drops, would be appreciated,
Thanks

JMH

 

[labman]

The AC PF 1177 has over twice the filter area of the equivalent ST and 3 times the Fram area. I wouldn't be surprised to find the PF 52 has more filter area then its "equivalents.

All things may not be equal, but more filter should give mo

 

[unDummy]

Concerning the valve clatter, is this just on the cold engine startup? how long was car sitting prior to startup?
Could be an ADBV issue or oil chosen?
I have had statup clatter with the Fram filters and wouldn't recommend them for cool weather use.
I have never had a problem with ST filters.

Also, try using a real synthetic and not a groupIII synth which might not flow well when cold.

 

[kev99sl]

I've always used either AC Ultraguard Golds or Mobil 1 filters on my Saturn. When I switched to the regular AC Delco filters for an Auto-RX treatment, I developed terrible lifter and/or valve noise. An oil change and going back to the Ultraguard Gold "fixed" it. Whether this has anything to do with filter choice, or whether a piece of carbon dislodged and gummed up a lifter, I don't know.

 

[ZR2RANDO]

I have a 99 ZR2 myself. I use the supertech filters and don't have any ticking noise on startup,,,not yet anyway.
The Pf52 has more surface area than the supertech equivalent- 244 sq in vs 206 for the supertech.
I change oil every 3k so maybe it is not an issue for short interval changes?
I had a lifter tick on our blazer a while back (only on random cold starts) so I did a couple of short interval changes (2000k vs 3000k) and the tick is gone now...
Try changing the filter without changing oil for a couple of separate startups, if the tick persists it probably is not the filter's fault. Then try the RX2 or a couple of quickie changes..I think a quickie change every now and then is a good thing anyway...
Good luck
Let us know what it turns out to be..
Rando