Ls1 noisy lifter which oil?????

[VY 777]

Hi guys I have just bought a VY Calais 2003 5.7 Auto it as 158k on the clock.
Mods: Second hole in airbox as with monaro set up.
Standard exhaust up to cats from there back i have installed a s/steel HSV VX Clubsport high flow system. The car seems good all round just needed a little TLC to clean it up. I usually change all liquids and service car so I have a base line to work from. This is where my problem came up, I don't know what oil it was running when I bought it but I have done a service oil filter n oil now I have noticed a single lifter noise when I start the car and only do a small trip. Once I have driven for say 10ks noise is reduced. Can't here it when driving only when car is idling. To me the noise is getting worse hope it's only a lifter or oil problem. I had a lot of Castrol Magnetech 15-40 left from my VY V6 so I used that for the first change just to clean the system. Now I have done 1200ks and I want to change the oil BUT after reading the forum on oil I am lost!!!!!! Could any one help me if they have had this problem and successfully fix it? I will use the best oil but I not want to waist money and maybe cause harm to my motor. Would I need to go to 20-50 or 10-40 or 10-60 full synthetic? Any help would be appreciated

[AUSFITTER]

Hey mate, and congrats on the Calais.
You have two options when it comes to oil, you can spend quite a bit on mainlube oil ( If you can afford it, it is your best option ) Australian LS1 and Holden Forums or you can go with Castrol Edge 10w-60. I use 10w-60 and think its great, plus it is cheaper than mainlube. Mainlube has apparently gone under ALOT of testing to make it pretty much the top product out on the market at the moment.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

I use Castrol Magnatec 10W30 in our Senator. No noises what so ever.

[VY 777]

Thanks for the quick response guys now I still have to choose 10-30or60, is There anything in common with our cars, simmer noise or kmh or auto manual anything that can point the way???
Or is it the case to try one and if that dos'nt work try another? Either way I can't do any damage (can I)
Thanks again for your quick response
Col

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Did the noise only come in after you changed the exhaust?

[VY 777]

No when I first inspected the car there was a little knocking noise that went quicker with the revs up to 2 grand then once the car was warmed up an driven I didn't noticed as much- if at all. After changing the oil n filter the noise was louder and took long to go away. The noise now as a double tap noise ever now and again. But I drove it into town the other week to see if my mates mechanic could shed a little light on the bloody thing, but after the drive in 13ks the engine wouldn't make a noise not even after 20min turned off. So I don't think it's really bad as car gos good, hope it's just oil as I want to get a tune - last thing I want is to stuff it!!!!

[shane_3800]

i bet the last owner underserviced it sorry to say im a mechanic and see it all the time i have even seen ve's with last service due at 45k and clock is at 80k some ppl just dont care cause they know they will just resell it and let other ppl fix there incompitence

[VY 777]

I tracked the cars history 1 owner from new to last June 10 then no history for last 30k. Oil did look pritty shitty and the new oil I put in discolored quickly. If I service regularly at 5000k as I usually do will it come good? Hope it's only a lifter I picked that because the noise go's away - thinking the oil needs to puressure up and that.

[Macka21]

Sounds like a valve spring mine did the same thing on my ss get a mechanic to pull the rocker cover off anf have a suss at the valve springs.

[shane_3800]

well from what i can gather the old oil was thickend by time and carbon build up the new thinner oil has made the noise more apprant get it looked at and use a thicker oil as 160k is a fair bit of wear

[VY 777]

Thanks guys I replaced the oil and filter today with Nulon 10-40 full synthetic. First out the noise got louder until I drove the car then everything quite down as it did with the magnatech 15-40. With the new oil the noise returned again as the car cooled & as it got back to temp it went away. I would add that if the car isn't driven from cold and just brought up to temp be idling the noise stays prominate, it's only when you drive it the noise go's away. When you are driving the car there is no noise and the car performs great. So it's something that either heats up and expands or more oil pressure is needed to make the engine work without the knocking noise. As anyone got an idea about what it could be and if it go's away when drive is it very serious?

[Drewie]

If it is only present when cold and goes away once up to temp it is probably like a lot of LS1's, more than likely a bit of piston slap. If it completely goes when hot I would not worry too much, the LS1's are a bit on the noisy side when cold.