Oil Question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
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From: Pittsburg Ca.
Oil Question
I just changed the oil in my 97 Vette. I have no Idea what oil was in it when I bought it , a little over 3 months ago. It was always quiet at cold start up though. When I changed the oil a couple of days ago, I used AC delco filter and Q Horsepower full synthetic oil. Now in the mornings at cold start up it makes a valve train clatter until it warms up,and then its quiet again. Is it normal after a fresh oil change for there to be some clatter at cold start-up. Thanks.......... Rick
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
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From: Longview Texas
Changing the oil should not make the engine start making noise on cold starts. Did you change the weight of the oil you put in? Are you using 5W30 or 10W30?
Did it clatter just on initial startup, or does it still do it on subsequent starts? I think it will clatter when you first change the oil if you did not fill the filter with oil and the lifters get starved for oil until the filter fills up and pressure is established in the engine.
If it continues to clatter later, you may need to look at brand and weight of oil you put in.
Did it clatter just on initial startup, or does it still do it on subsequent starts? I think it will clatter when you first change the oil if you did not fill the filter with oil and the lifters get starved for oil until the filter fills up and pressure is established in the engine.
If it continues to clatter later, you may need to look at brand and weight of oil you put in.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Sep 8, 2007 at 04:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
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From: Pittsburg Ca.
It just does it the first startup in the morning after that it is fine. I guess if it continues I can try 10/30 and switch back to mobile 1. But dont think it is the oil as it is Ferrariis America stock fill......... Who at one time also used mobile 1 and changed.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
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sure your not hearing piston slapp. which is very common on the c5?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
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From: Pittsburg Ca.
I guess it possible its piston slap, but like I said it never made this noise until I changed the oil. I guess it could be lifters also, with new oil maybe its taking longer for them to pump up,after sitting all night. Hell it could even be my serpintine belt.........
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 933
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From: Inland Empire CA
I wouldn't worry about it too much. Sometimes our minds "look" for things after we do things to our cars. As long as you're using a full synthetic engine oil you should have nothing to worry about. I really haven't read that much about Q Horsepower oil, but if Ferrari uses it, there shouldn't be a problem. 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
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From: Pittsburg Ca.
Well guys do I feel dumb. Its not oil or valve train related. Its the damn belt tensioner. I was doing some reading here on the forum last night and ran across a post about noisy belts and how to check them. Spray some water around the belt. So this morning when I started it same noise. Got my water bottle and started spraying the belt, and as soon as I hit the belt tensioner pulley the noise dissapered. So I guess Ill be getting a new belt tensioner and while im at it a gatorback to. Rick
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
If its the lifters, the noise will progressively take longer to go away.. tapping sounds. Eventually the tapping won't go away till the engine starts to warm as indicated on the water temp gauge. After that time, they will suddenly get real bad. If all this happens, the cause is lifters bleeding down when cold and they need to be replaced.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego CA
This is very normal (piston slap) for a C5. I would NOT go to heavier viscosity oil, as it may get worse (heavier oils take longer to "pump up" to full pressure). One thing that may help a bit is the K&N oil filter. It flows better than the AC Delco filter and yet filters extremely well (based upon a forum member's oil analysis results over a few years).
Last edited by Dave68; Sep 10, 2007 at 12:16 AM.
Burning Brakes
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From: Inland Empire CA
Melting Slicks
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From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I did a little research in hopes of understanding just what "piston slap" is.
Here's a link that I thought would help..
Piston Slap
Based on this information the sound you're hearing is probably hearing is not piston slap, it's the valve-train for about 1 second and then goes away very quickly....
Here's a link that I thought would help..
Piston Slap
Based on this information the sound you're hearing is probably hearing is not piston slap, it's the valve-train for about 1 second and then goes away very quickly....
Last edited by BobbyG; Sep 10, 2007 at 07:35 AM. Reason: Added more information