Engine sounds different after oil change
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Bloomsburg Pa
Engine sounds different after oil change
Believe me, I know that this sounds crazy.
We all know our cars inside and out. We know what our cars sound like. I just got my car back from the dealer after having the oil changed. I went out and started the car. Immediately I noticed that the car just didn't sound right. It was definately louder than it was before. It wasn't knocking, but it sounded like it was a little low on oil. Just sounded a bit like there was a tiny bit of lifter noise. I checked the oil and it was definately full. After driving the car for about 20 mins the car settled down and sounded just like it did before. Am I crazy? I can't imagine why the engine would sound different. Ok, let the flames begin!
Save the Wave!...
We all know our cars inside and out. We know what our cars sound like. I just got my car back from the dealer after having the oil changed. I went out and started the car. Immediately I noticed that the car just didn't sound right. It was definately louder than it was before. It wasn't knocking, but it sounded like it was a little low on oil. Just sounded a bit like there was a tiny bit of lifter noise. I checked the oil and it was definately full. After driving the car for about 20 mins the car settled down and sounded just like it did before. Am I crazy? I can't imagine why the engine would sound different. Ok, let the flames begin!
Save the Wave!...
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
First thing I thought of was thinner oil, but more than likely its an air lock in one of the lifters which will clear up on its own. The lifter does sound a little noisy until it clears out, aggressive throttling can clear them out usually.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 896
Likes: 1
From: Overland Park KS
As most of us cringe when taking our baby to the dealership for work, maybe, after picking up your car, your were paying more attention than usual to your car and noticed the typical noise from "cold engine piston slap"? 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
What oil did they use? You can't assume they use Mobil 1, 5W-30. It could be dino oil or a heavier oil, such as a 30 or 40W; that could keep the lifters from filling as rapidly. Check it out, so you know what was used, although it will most likely work fine. 
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by carpe dm
What oil did they use? You can't assume they use Mobil 1, 5W-30. It could be dino oil or a heavier oil, such as a 30 or 40W; that could keep the lifters from filling as rapidly. Check it out, so you know what was used, although it will most likely work fine.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Many of the LS based motors make an itermittent lifter noise that describes what youre hearing. I have a 5.3 in my Silverado thats done it since it was new. Sometimes you hear it, sometimes you dont. Wonder why GM hasnt fixed this yet...oh, well. They DO make power
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Which filter are you running? I would consider a filter change, that is usually the culprit in cases like this. I pulled off my UPF-44 and installed a Baldwin and have not had a reoccurance of the startup noise that has plagued me for a while.
