Increased Valve Noise After Change To Amsoil

[iwasgointo]

Just yesterday morning (Saturday), I changed the oil of my 2009 370Z using the Amsoil top of the line Signature Series oil. The weight is 0w30 which is what Amsoil recommends for this engine. The car has 7800 miles on it. I drove it around for a short time and everything seemed fine.

Well, today I got up early and drove 32 miles to an excellent twisty road that's about 8 miles long and a favorite of motorcyclists. After doing one pass where the car is kept mostly in 3rd gear and the rpm's stay in the 4 to 5k range, I pulled over and popped the hood and noticed a louder than usual valve clicking noise. I then stepped back next to the drivers doors and the clicking was even louder and seemed to be also coming from under the car.

I then did another pass on this twisty road and headed home. When I got home the car sounded normal and a couple of hours later I started the car and everything seemed fine.

I know the Amsoil is a very thin oil, but it's supposed to offer superb protection against wear at any speed.

I like to drive like this every now and then and I wonder if I should add a viscosity increasing additive such as STP? My thought is the Amsoil is a bit too thin for this type of driving in this particular engine.

[Holliday]

Originally Posted by iwasgointo

Just yesterday morning (Saturday), I changed the oil of my 2009 370Z using the Amsoil top of the line Signature Series oil. The weight is 0w30 which is what Amsoil recommends for this engine. The car has 7800 miles on it. I drove it around for a short time and everything seemed fine.

Well, today I got up early and drove 32 miles to an excellent twisty road that's about 8 miles long and a favorite of motorcyclists. After doing one pass where the car is kept mostly in 3rd gear and the rpm's stay in the 4 to 5k range, I pulled over and popped the hood and noticed a louder than usual valve clicking noise. I then stepped back next to the drivers doors and the clicking was even louder.

I then did another pass on the twisty road and headed home. When I got home the car sounded normal and a couple of hours later I started the car and everything seemed fine.

I know the Amsoil is a very thin oil, but is supposed to offer superb protection against wear at any speed.

I like to drive like this every now and then and I wonder if I should add a viscosity increasing additive such as STP? My thought is the Amsoil is a bit too thin for this particular engine.

I am no expert, but IMO you should be fine with the oil you have now. I would personally not use any additives to the oil. If you are concerned with the valve noise you might use 5W30 on your next oil change. I am sure you will get plenty of comments to make your decision. Good luck!

[370Zsteve]

This thread should get interesting.

[Holliday]

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

This thread should get interesting.

[nuts4nissan09]

I have been using 5w30 Amsoil XL (7,500 mile oil) since the first oil change (3,500 miles). I could tell a slight increase in valvetrain clicking at first, but two oil changes later the noise is subdued. I have been impressed w/ the oil. Low consumption (1/2 quart added over 7,000 miles) and the oil always looked clean (golden brown). Oil temps range from 207 to 220 in 95+ heat (spurts of hard acceleration-220). I would not worry about the valvetrain. This is a very good oil.

[Holliday]

Originally Posted by nuts4nissan09

I have been using 5w30 Amsoil XL (7,500 mile oil) since the first oil change (3,500 miles). I could tell a slight increase in valvetrain clicking at first, but two oil changes later the noise is subdued. I have been impressed w/ the oil. Low consumption (1/2 quart added over 7,000 miles) and the oil always looked clean (golden brown). Oil temps range from 207 to 220 in 95+ heat (spurts of hard acceleration-220). I would not worry about the valvetrain. This is a very good oil.

Are those temps with an oil cooler installed?

[jpit]

The G37 suffered from valve train noise and the solution was a software upgrade and using the Nissan ester oil. Road and Track was using Nissan ester in their long term
370Z and then switched to a conventional 5W-30 to see what would happen to the noise level. Valve train noise went up with the conventional oil. General consensus is that the increased valve train noise will not harm the engine.

[Lug]

Originally Posted by jpit

General consensus is that the increased valve train noise will not harm the engine.

That may be true but once I put Royal Purple in my engine and my dog died the very next day! I'm just sayin.......

[kenchan]

I did Mobil1 today and no noise... No change from original oil


I think just use normal oil if you don't want complications.

[antennahead]

Originally Posted by Lug

That may be true but once I put Royal Purple in my engine and my dog died the very next day! I'm just sayin.......

[nuts4nissan09]

Originally Posted by Holliday

Are those temps with an oil cooler installed?

No oil cooler. I don't intend to track it and don't want the worry of a hose/cooler failure. The high oil temp issue seems to be related to green engines and high ambient temps. Mine is thoroughly broken in and I grab the highest possible gear after hard acceleration. No need to just rev the engine w/ its flat torque curve.

[Jordo!]

Originally Posted by jpit

The G37 suffered from valve train noise and the solution was a software upgrade and using the Nissan ester oil. Road and Track was using Nissan ester in their long term
370Z and then switched to a conventional 5W-30 to see what would happen to the noise level. Valve train noise went up with the conventional oil. General consensus is that the increased valve train noise will not harm the engine.

My guess is the reflash just smoothed the transitions between various valve settings so make it run a little more quietly and the rest was the Este roil.

That last part is good to know, but who arrived at that conclusion -- R&T?

To the OP, as an experiment, you might try either the Nissan Ester oil or another band (e.g. Redline) on your next oil change and see if the valve ticking subsides.

Kinda curious to see what happens when I switch to the 0-W30 Castrol...

[spearfish25]

Anyone have any proof that valvetrain clicking loudness is associated with any problems? I thought not. Sometimes we focus on the sounds our engines make a bit too much. Enjoy your car. You're using acceptable oil.

[ImportConvert]

Originally Posted by Holliday

I am no expert, but IMO you should be fine with the oil you have now. I would personally not use any additives to the oil. If you are concerned with the valve noise you might use 5W30 on your next oil change. I am sure you will get plenty of comments to make your decision. Good luck!

What is the cSt of the oil at 40 and 100* Celcius. Just because it is 0-30 instead of 5-30 does NOT mean it is thinner.

[Holliday]

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

What is the cSt of the oil at 40 and 100* Celcius. Just because it is 0-30 instead of 5-30 does NOT mean it is thinner.

That is very true about viscosity. I believe the OP was referring to the webpage on their recommendation for the 0W30. You should always choose the oil best for your local temps and driving habits. 0W30 in California this time a year might be to thin? They also list two different types of 5W30 you can use. Here are the properties for each oil:

Every oil for our 370Z
AMSOIL Product Recommendations - 2010%7cNISSAN%2fDATSUN%7c370Z%7cM

Signature Series 0W-30 100% Synthetic Motor Oil
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/sso.aspx

SAE 5W-30 100% Synthetic Motor Oil
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/asl.aspx

Extended Life 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil (XLF)
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/xlf.aspx]AMSOIL