AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
Back story: 12/14 bought an 02 Xterra 3.3L with 126K that had a small RMS leak. Immediately changed oil to Maxlife 5W-30, a Wix 57356, and added 1/2 bottle of ATP AT-205 that everyone raves about. Reason for 1/2 bottle is this engine has a 3.5 qt. sump. At 3K I changed oil with ML 5W-30 again and added the other 1/2 bottle of AT-205 but I left the Wix on for another 3K. Around 2K into this OCI I started noticing some start-up clatter. It wasn't much so I left the filter on and went to 3100 (the clatter got a little louder) and filled with Pennzoil HM 5W-30 and a NAPA Gold 7356 that looks identical to the Wix. Cold start clatter gone. I mentioned this a while ago and someone wondered if the ADB valve went bad. I've never cut a filter before and was really curious so figuring what the heck I drained all the oil out and ground through the crimp with a flap disc and it popped right apart. Here are the photos and the interesting thing is the black rubber seal that's inside the one part is all swelled and deformed. I don't know how this all works but it was definitely off center, did this allow drain-back? First time using the AT-205 and first time with a 2X FCI. Some oil still shows up on the crossmember but doesn't drip now. My first cut/post, did I miss anything? Thoughts?






