VW with FRAM rattles like heck on cold startup...

[crw]

Well, when it was time to do my last oil change, my local AZ had a great sale price on Valvoline Synpower. $16.99 for 5 quarts and that included a FRAM Tough Guard filter. Normally I avoid FRAM, but for my VW, Valvoline Synpower in the 5w30 grade is the only 5w30 on the recommended list. So, I went for it.

Now, whenever I do a cold start the engine rattles like a diesel for about 30 seconds... and then you hear the difference... "whoosh!", and then the engine settles right down and idles normally. Should I swap out this FRAM?

 

[moribundman]

Does that Fram have the proper bypass valve pressure specs?

 

[crw]

I don't know. If FRAM sells a filter that goes on a 1.8T I have to assume that they have figured that out. Perhaps this is not a great assumption to make...

 

[huffmuds9320]

Before I came to this forum I have always used Fram. When I used the Fram 2870 (same for most VWs) on my Jetta 2.0L, I never had any rattling or anything. I currently use the STP oil filter which is good bang for the buck. Does anyone know what the OEM oil filter bypass pressure is? I vaguely remember it was like 33psi, not sure what is is for Fram.

I don't think the Valvoline Synpower 5w30 meets the VW specs but I believe the 5w30 Maxlife Synthetic does. Of course Synpower 5W-40 meets the specs which is what I would use.

 

[John_K]

My old Dakota was rattling on start up. Switched from Fram to Purolator, rattle stopped.

John

 

[crw]

Valvoline Synpower 5w-40 AND 5w30 are each on the list. Maxlife Synthetic is not. But I don't want to go down that debate on this particular thread... ;-)

 

[ThirdeYe]

The only way to find out for sure is to try another oil filter. It would be interesting to see what you find out

 

[The Critic]

I think you have a defective filter. I've used the 2870 before on VWs without any problems.

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: crw
I don't know. If FRAM sells a filter that goes on a 1.8T I have to assume that they have figured that out. Perhaps this is not a great assumption to make...


I believe you can safely presume the opposite of your assumption to be more likely the case.

"Houston, we got a Fram."

 

[TurboJim]

"I think you have a defective filter. I've used the 2870 before on VWs without any problems."

You could send it back to them under a warranty claim. Fram will want the filter back unopened. If you open it up to see what the problem is yourself they'll deny the claim.

Champ Labs has no problem with do-it-yourselfers but Fram does.

 

[crw]

I'm going to swap it out tomorrow with a Purolator or a Napa Gold. We'll see how it responds on Friday morning. Oh, and I'll also cut open this FRAM... just for fun.

 

[mrsilv04]

Imagine that... another Fr*m filter causing unnecessary grief...

When will folks ever learn?

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Imagine that... another Fr*m filter causing unnecessary grief...

When will folks ever learn?

Sure, maybe one filter has a problem, but then work fine for most customers.

 

[glxpassat]

If it doesn't have an anti-drain-back valve in the filter, then your motor is having to pump oil from the pan to the valve lifters which takes a few seconds. Use a filter with the valve, like a Mann and it will keep oil on top of the motor after you shut it off.

Synpower MST is the VW approved 5w30 and it is only sold in 55g barrels in the US. About the only place to get it is at an Express Oil Change that uses Valvoline. If you are using regular Synpower 5w30, it is not approved.

I called Valvoline and they told me the Maxlife 5w30 was the same as the MST and meets all the specs. They just don't advertise it any longer so they can sell the MST at a higher price.

 

[Audi Junkie]

I spotted the error on the Approval List and confirmed it with Valvoline. The list refers to Euro SynPower 5w30, a 12cSt A3 oil, American SynPower 5w30 is a 10cSt A5 oil.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: The Critic

Sure, maybe one filter has a problem, but then work fine for most customers.


But it happens over and over and over again, usually with the same brand.

I had a orange can cause start up knock on a V8 Chevy. Changed the filter to a different brand, problem went away. Never had that problem with any other brand.

One brand in particular seems to be a little more prone to problems.

 

[harry j]

The ole Fram death rattle. Park what's left of your ride, walk to the autoparts and get a good M1 filter.

 

[wavinwayne]

I've used the Fram 2870 two times on my '00 GTI 1.8T. There was no start-up rattle at all. FWIW, this was with Super-Tech 5w30 API SL oil.

 

[crw]

Just to keep you guys on track, this is (was) a FRAM "TOUGH GUARD" filter, which came free along with the great deal on the oil. Seems like it's worth much less than I paid for it.

I'm going to swap the filters tonight with a basic Purolator, then cut open the FRAM. Tomorrow morning will be the test.

 

[crw]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
I spotted the error on the Approval List and confirmed it with Valvoline. The list refers to Euro SynPower 5w30, a 12cSt A3 oil, American SynPower 5w30 is a 10cSt A5 oil.


Sigh. I think I'm going to throw away the list and go back to Rotella Synth 5w-40.