Which Motor Oil to Quiet Down Engine?

[MNL]

Hello, I have a 2000 Camry with the 2.2L 4-cylinder. (The 5S-FE for the Toyota guys) This known sludge motor is a DOHC engine with shim and bucket lifters (solid lifters), 16 of them to be exact. I have checked the clearance between the cams and lifters, and all 16 lifters are within factory limits. I drive about 16-20 miles a day here in Texas and “cold” for us is 40*F. I run this motor hard and it revs over 4K daily just to keep up with traffic. It has been a very dependable engine and I have replaced the valve cover gasket, timing belt and water pump. I have changed the oil every 3K with conventional 5W-30 or 10W-30, with whatever I have on hand. The engine doesn't burn oil and has 103K miles, which is nothing for this engine.

Here some pictures to show the condition of the engine. You can see come cam wear on the lobes.

Here's the question, I’m trying to find a brand of motor oil that can help reduce noise from the top end. It has the “normal” sewing machine noise of a non-hydraulic lifter but prefer it to be quieter. I think I'm so used to hydraulic lifters engines that mine just didn't feel "right". I have several motor oils on hand that I can use on my next oil change, 1K left. I have research endlessly on BITOG and other forums and have conflicting answers. Here’s what I have:

10W-30 SN Chevron Supreme, I’m currently using this but haven’t hear any different in noise.
10W-30 SN Quaker State Ultimate Durability, I have several quarts in the garage.
10W-30 Rotella T5 (CJ-4/SM), I have a gallon that I may use since it is dual rated for gasoline too.
5W-30 SN Peak conventional, I have 3 jugs for other cars.

These engines can run on almost anything, Australia spec Camry use 15w-40. I’m interested in using the T5 but not sure if it will hurt or help. I also have a Purolator Synthetic oil filter on the shelf for this car too. Which of these oils would you recommend or is there a better one you would suggest.

Also, my valve stem seals are leaking (like most 90's Toyotas) and it gives off a blue puff on start up now and then. No HM oil will help the seals but I want to avoid oil that may hurt it.

 

[Falcon_LS]

So long as it matches your climatic conditions, you can get away running a wide range of viscosities. I've had excellent results running Mobil 1 0W-40 in 5S-FE engines. Engine's quiet, smooth and clean.

 

[dave1251]

Just start using your stash. Your engine will not care.

 

[tommygunn]

I thought only the 1MZ had that sludge problem! The V6 also has the same valve stem seal issue as well, but is from the pre-sludge era.

My choice would be Castrol Edge 0w30. It's a heavy 30.

 

[simple_gifts]

Try the Peak;

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...rue#Post2941870

 

[artificialist]

Valvoline Maxlife worked for an older Honda Accord that I once had. That car also used a solid valvetrain, but it worked differently from your Toyota. It also burnt a little bit less oil.

 

[danthaman1980]

For a quiet valvetrain, try Castrol Edge SPT 0W-30 (aka German Castrol, or GC for short).

Don't let the '0W-' fool you, GC is a thick 30wt at operating temperature... even thicker than T5, IIRC. GC is perfect for hot Texas weather and it loves to be pushed hard. You will see a slight MPG penalty though, due to the high viscosity.

Out of the oils you have on hand, I'd use the QSUD for the winter and T5 for the summer.

 

[NHGUY]

Revs over 4K? Is it a manual?

 

[Hyde244]

Start with what you have in your stash first.

Any of those oils listed are good, and will keep that engine continued clean. I prefer longer OCIs over engine noise - if you could get both in cohort that would be worth considering.

 

[Eosyn]

From experience, both of my 1zz-fe engines love Pennzoil Platinum in terms of smoothness and quietness. Both engines have been the most quiet on this oil.

Now according to VOAs from PQIA, QSUD is very similar to PP. I'd give that a try first. As a matter of fact, I bought a case of QSUD a month back while it was on sale and am looking forward to trying it when my PP stash runs out. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Thax]

Perhaps an oil with high Moly content will help out a little , some here have reported very quiet engines using PYB

 

[gregk24]

Use up your stash...But QSUD or PP 5w30 is what I would use. Didnt you know that 3000 mile OCI's wear out your engine quicker? At least thats what they keep telling me, lol.

 

[nitehawk55]

For the hotter temps and keeping it clean I would be tempted to give Rotella T6 5W40 synthetic a try as it's only about $21 for a 4 Qt jug at Walmart .

 

[MNL]

Thanks for all the replies. I think the valves might have to be adjusted to be on the tighter side of the spec this winter if oil don't make a different. QSUD is getting the most vote so I'll try it on my next oil change and post the result.

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
So long as it matches your climatic conditions, you can get away running a wide range of viscosities. I've had excellent results running Mobil 1 0W-40 in 5S-FE engines. Engine's quiet, smooth and clean.

Winter is not cold here so a weight is fine, I once consider using 10W-40 but the 10 was on the heavy side compare to a 10-30 so I back out. I forgotten about the 0W-40.

Originally Posted By: dave1251
Just start using your stash. Your engine will not care.
My stash is shared with 3 other cars and those engine are not picky at all. (Well, maybe the Versa) I just want to use the best for my engine.

Originally Posted By: tommygunn
I thought only the 1MZ had that sludge problem! The V6 also has the same valve stem seal issue as well, but is from the pre-sludge era.

My choice would be Castrol Edge 0w30. It's a heavy 30.
The 5S-FE was on the list too. It holds only 3.5 quarts so I stay on a short OCI.

Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Try the Peak;

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...rue#Post2941870
I haven't came across that thread on Peaks. I reserved the Peaks for the two Nissan that we have, but I may try it.

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Valvoline Maxlife worked for an older Honda Accord that I once had. That car also used a solid valvetrain, but it worked differently from your Toyota. It also burnt a little bit less oil.
I used Maxlife for a while to help stop the valve cover leaks, but I end up replacing the gasket and when back to conventional oil. I read on Honda forums that thinner is better but Jeep forums show that thicker prove to be quieter. (found too many threads about that debate here)

Originally Posted By: danthaman1980
For a quiet valvetrain, try Castrol Edge SPT 0W-30 (aka German Castrol, or GC for short).

Don't let the '0W-' fool you, GC is a thick 30wt at operating temperature... even thicker than T5, IIRC. GC is perfect for hotTexas weather and it loves to be pushed hard. You will see a slight MPG penalty though, due to the high viscosity.

Out of the oils you have on hand, I'd use the QSUD for the winter and T5 for the summer.
I was thinking the same to use the QSUD for my next change too. MPG is not a big factor, I get only 20 mpg anyways for the last 3 years. Yes, it very well maintain.

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Revs over 4K? Is it a manual?
It's a 4 speed automatic. A healthy 4 speed but still an auto. With only 135 hp at the flex plate, the power is at the upper end of the power band on the 5S engine. In 2002, Toyota when to an all-aluminum block AZ engine with VVT-i, It only has to reach about 2500 rpm for reasonable take off. (also has a smarter automatic)

Originally Posted By: Hyde244
Start with what you have in your stash first.

Any of those oils listed are good, and will keep that engine continued clean. I prefer longer OCIs over engine noise - if you could get both in cohort that would be worth considering.
It is going to take a while to go through my stash. I have 43 quarts of oil and wanted to try the oil in my stand first before buying more.

Originally Posted By: Eosyn
From experience, both of my 1zz-fe engines love Pennzoil Platinum in terms of smoothness and quietness. Both engines have been the most quiet on this oil.

Now according to VOAs from PQIA, QSUD is very similar to PP. I'd give that a try first. As a matter of fact, I bought a case of QSUD a month back while it was on sale and am looking forward to trying it when my PP stash runs out. Good luck and keep us posted!
It seem like QUSD is getting the most votes any it would make good use of the Purolator synthetic oil filter. It will be a while before I change the oil but I'll post the result.

Originally Posted By: Thax
Perhaps an oil with high Moly content will help out a little , some here have reported very quiet engines using PYB
I brought a case of Chevron because of it's moly content too, it may not be as much as PYB but it was worth a try. As you mention, PYB was love by many Jeep forum too.

Originally Posted By: gregk24
Use up your stash...But QSUD or PP 5w30 is what I would use. Didnt you know that 3000 mile OCI's wear out your engine quicker? At least thats what they keep telling me, lol.
Lol, I enjoy change my engine oil, almost like a hobby. (Don't worry, I broken the 3K OCI wall. The two Nissan is on a 5K OCI and the 12' Camry is on 10K synthetic diet) The filter on my Camry is mounted up right so I pull the EFI fuse to "prime" the oil filter with only the starter then I start it normally.


Originally Posted By: nitehawk55
For the hotter temps and keeping it clean I would be tempted to give Rotella T6 5W40 synthetic a try as it's only about $21 for a 4 Qt jug at Walmart .
I did think about the T6 but got the T5 because of this winter. May try it next summer when it's full of endless days of +100*F.

 

[TFB1]

I've never seen any oil that quieted solid lifters, it's the clearance that causes the tick and hot there isn't enough cushion in any 5W-xx oil to make a real difference...

 

[salv]

I have had great success with Peak conventional in both my Cherokee and an old Altima. The only oils that have run smoother that I have used were Mobil Super and Mobil Super HM.

 

[CharBaby]

Well, if quiet is what you're after, I would deffinately stay with conventional oil. I have liked the PEAK 5W30 and QSGB 5W30 both for quiet in my wifes '01 RX-300, my '04 Altima and our daughters '06 Mazda3. Try the PEAK and see if you can hear the difference!

There are other oils too that have contributed to the extra bit of quietness though, I can't tell ya that any were 10W30. I thought too, that 10W30 would have helped in the quiet area but, I don't hear the difference from the 5W30.

 

[tig1]

All over head cam engines are prone to be a little noisey compared to OHV engines of years ago. Just go with it as that's the design. Don't try to use a thick oil your engine isn't engineered for as the long term wear and MPG loss will be greater.