Car sounds different after oil change

[redlion05]

Hello everyone,

I'm nervous with driving my car as i have done a service on my car tonight and i've made sure i filled the oil to the right levels, yet, when i drive, my car sounds differently and when i open the car bonnet, the engine is has some smoke (could possibly be old oil that spilt on the engine when i replaced the oil filter). I used Castrol Magnetec 10w - 30 oil with a ryco z154 filter.

I also cleaned the spark plugs instead of replacing them but they seem to be firing properly. Has anybody experienced this situation?

[*uwishn*]

is there no tapping/bearing noise? what kind of noise are you experiencing?
i would so u spillt some on your exhaust manifold/block and its now burning off lol.

[delcowizzid]

10w 30 is pretty thin for a vn you want 20/50

[sleepa]

What noises is it making? The only differences I have noticed when I have serviced cars is that they feel better and run smoother, and are more often quieter then before the service.

10w 30 is pretty thin for a vn you want 20/50

Doh, just noticed that, yeah that is very thin, you will probably get tapping and burning from oil leaking between the piston rings in an old car.

20w 50 is what I used to use in my old pos camira in order to keep the tapping down a little bit.

[sweefu]

Way to thin oil i'd day mate. How many km on the engine?

[TMM]

10W40 is what you want on an Ecotec (i'm assuming because this is the VY section?)

Don't run 20W50 unless it's consuming oil on 10W40. You'll do more harm then good running it in an engine that doesn't need it.

[redlion05]

My VY Calais has 148,000 kms on the clock and i've serviced it yesterday when the previous oil was only 7,000kms. The oil was black and low.

I've placed castrol modern engine 10w - 30 with a ryco filter. I started it this morning an it sounds normal but i get a minor tapping noise while the engine is running, could that be the oil dripping from the pan? My main issue is when i drive it, it feels slugish and vibrates a little.

What oil would you recommend for my car? (both brand and range). Also, is the current oil worth draining out or should i run it to see if it operates ok? Also, the burning smoke is coming from the front of the engine...is that normal?

[one_and_only2004]

I've been using Castrol GTX 2 (2 or 3 I Can't remember) 10W-40 . My motor hasn't exploded over the past 20,000km's so I'd say it's doing alright.

[redlion05]

Can you please tell me what the difference is between 10w-30 and 10w-40? I looked up on the castrol website and they recommended using castrol modern engine 10w-30 or castrol sport edge 10w-40

[sleepa]

Can you please tell me what the difference is between 10w-30 and 10w-40? I looked up on the castrol website and they recommended using castrol modern engine 10w-30 or castrol sport edge 10w-40

Basically it is a multigrade oil, the w means different thicknesses of oil or weight, so 10w 30 or 10w 50 start off the same cold weight but the hot weight is different. 10w30 is basically equivilant to 30w, and 10w 40 is the same as 40w, but they start working earlier which is better for the engine.

20w 50 is for old engines (I thought you had a VN), so yes you were right 10w 30 is good for newer engines.

I suspect the tapping was because of the old burnt oil, when it's brown or black it doesn't work anymore and starts to wear out the engine which is why you need to change it regularly.

Check the oil again and if it is dark already then change it again, otherwise wait until the next service.

The tapping happens when not enough oil gets to the heads, so usually when you start it up if the oil is a bit old, or it is very cold you could hear it. It is basically the tappets working with minimal oil as all the oil drains to the pan after a few hours after driving so when you start it up there isn't much oil in the heads. Newer engines don't tend to do it as much as older engines which are a bit worn.

But make sure you change it regularly and warm up the car a little before you give it too much throttle, at least a few minutes, that will stop the oil from burning.

Just for the info, it is more important to have the oil clean and full then the exact right brand or specs, but 10w30 sounds good. I have used Magnatec without issues in other cars, it does bond a little better then normal oils, but it will drain to the pan eventually too.

[redlion05]

Thanks for your informative info sleepa. You've helped me understand the grades of oil and what they mean. So would you say (going by my description) to continue driving the car and see if the oil settles to the top (without damaging the engine that is).? Also, have you used any other oils for your vx which you found quite good? I'd like to give it the good oil if i can. Btw, I checked the oil this morning after driving 6 kms and the oil was clean. Also, the oil is at the full line mark on the dipstick.

[sleepa]

Sounds good about the oil, as long as it's clean and on the full level it will be fine, just check once a week that it's still full and hasn't become burnt. I can't help you out with my vx as I havn't done an oil change myself since I have had it, Due in a few hundred kays so will find a good oil soon enough.

Stay away from oils with 5w -- as these are usually for turbo cars in great condition and are quite pricey.

Really any decent brand name oil is good, and I have found in my other car that synthetic oil made a bit of a difference, maybe someone else will be able to tell you the best oil for your car.

[redlion05]

Thanks for your help all the same. Hopefully when i get home (on Friday), i'll drive my car to see if any problems should arrise.

[whitey66]

10w 30 is fine for Ecotechs,and is actually recommended by Holden for maximum fuel economy.
Just make sure it has a minimum rating of SJ ILSAC GF2 (most new quailty oils are GF3 or GF4).

[nick_]

It'll be the thinner grade of oil that's making your v6 tick. Grades like 10w30 are advertised for brand spanking new engines in order to meet set economy standards. I like to use Valvoline Durablend 15w50 in my VY with 160,000kms.

-Nick.

[WogBoyz]

It'll be the thinner grade of oil that's making your v6 tick. Grades like 10w30 are advertised for brand spanking new engines in order to meet set economy standards. I like to use Valvoline Durablend 15w50 in my VY with 160,000kms.

-Nick.

hows it run with the 15w50 man? i run 10w40 its good lil nosiey, thinking of trying out a 15w50 to see how it goes

[whitey66]

It'll be the thinner grade of oil that's making your v6 tick. Grades like 10w30 are advertised for brand spanking new engines in order to meet set economy standards. I like to use Valvoline Durablend 15w50 in my VY with 160,000kms.

-Nick.

Well i've been using 10w 30 in both my VS and VY since i've had them. 320,000kms on the VS with no ticks or rattles,engine never been pulled down,go figure.

[JAAV]

I have 260Ks on my girl still use 10W (W-Winter, not weight) 40. she knocks at start up but has done that for the last 100k, when it stops knocking I know its go oil pressure

[redlion05]

I went to Bursons and the guy refered me to Nulon 10w - 40 for my next service. He try's that in his car and said his had no problem with his commodore.

Also, I went into Supercheap auto and a lady refered me to some fluid for the ticking noise that may be coming the tappets. Supposedly you put the full bottle in your oil and it should remove the noise but i'm nlot certain if it is my tappets. Has anybody encountered this problem before and have they used this stuff in their commodore?

[chargedvx6]

HPR 10 - Penrite Oil

Oil is way too thin. Don't skimp on oil

Copy n paste from the penrite site:

Application
Designed for use in the latest types of petrol
engines including conventional, multi-cam, multivalve,
turbocharged and supercharged engines
(including the new generation of high output V8 and
V10 engines) from all over the world. Also
recommended for engines equipped with variable
valve timing. Specific examples include the VT-VY
Commodore, AU-BA Falcon and their derivatives,
Range Rover, Nissan, Chrysler and Jeep petrol
engines, Honda VTEC engines, Toyota VVT-i
engines and other vehicles that specify the use of
SAE 10W-30, 10W-40 or 10W-50 oils in the owner’s
handbook. Can also be used where SAE 15W-50
and 15W-40 oils are required.

[WogBoyz]

I went to Bursons and the guy refered me to Nulon 10w - 40 for my next service. He try's that in his car and said his had no problem with his commodore.

Also, I went into Supercheap auto and a lady refered me to some fluid for the ticking noise that may be coming the tappets. Supposedly you put the full bottle in your oil and it should remove the noise but i'm nlot certain if it is my tappets. Has anybody encountered this problem before and have they used this stuff in their commodore?

hey man ive been using nulon 10w40 with the E20 additive for over a year now, no problems at all, i though it was noisey but thats acuturally my cat lol, I will be doing another oil change next w.e, its awsome oil, under my rocker covers are spotless

Engine runs smooth as with good fuel eco aswell, highly recommend Nulon Oils, i will deff be using this same oil in my VE v8

[redlion05]

Damn, I should have researched more into my oils then. I'm going to see the guys at holden and see what they think of the oil (not to say that i dont believe everyones comments....which i'm very thankful of) but just so i can get the heads up. I'd hate to know that i've spent money on oil that really is crap for my car. Just wondering 'WogBoyz', what noise was your CAT (cataylic converter) making? Mine makes a ticking noise with the engine idling (possibly the tappets) but i feel it making different engine sounds when i drive too....is that possible with thinner oil? It definentlty wasn't making that noise before the service.

I'll have to give Nulon 10w - 40 a try then if you think its worth the money Thanks for your help mate

[WogBoyz]

Damn, I should have researched more into my oils then. I'm going to see the guys at holden and see what they think of the oil (not to say that i dont believe everyones comments....which i'm very thankful of) but just so i can get the heads up. I'd hate to know that i've spent money on oil that really is crap for my car. Just wondering 'WogBoyz', what noise was your CAT (cataylic converter) making? Mine makes a ticking noise with the engine idling (possibly the tappets) but i feel it making different engine sounds when i drive too....is that possible with thinner oil? It definentlty wasn't making that noise before the service.

I'll have to give Nulon 10w - 40 a try then if you think its worth the money Thanks for your help mate

Its making a tinny rattly kinda noise similar to ticking but it cause of the high flow cat, i deff recommend nulon oils

[nick_]

hows it run with the 15w50 man? i run 10w40 its good lil nosiey, thinking of trying out a 15w50 to see how it goes

It was pretty damn good mate. Very minor ticking on startup (first 3-5 seconds) as per normal in the morning. Economy was very reasonable given the thicker grade of the oil. I haven't had much luck with many thick oils (Edge 10w-60, Nulon 15w-50, Penrite 10w-50) but this one surprised me. I guess my little V6 is just a bit picky. Plus, I like the fact that I can get this in 6L (5+1) and not buy two or more 5L bottles. Sad thing is, you'll have to order it in through your local supercheap, etc coz they don't normally keep the 15w-50 handy on the shelves.

-Nick.

[redlion05]

Thanks to everyone whose replied to my comments on this thread. I've had an RACV mechanic check the engine and he said there's nothing to worry about. He actually said that the oil i'm using is good for my type of engine and that synethetics can be a waste of time (which can be hard to believe until i try it). My assumption is that the noise coming from my engine was the tappets which must have had insufficent oil to them but since i've driven a little bit further than 6kms, it has new oil reaching the top of the engine and now its not making any noise.

Thanks for everyones help once again