OK. I did not use my car all the week. Started it up this morning and the engine sounded like a diesel engine! It did that for about 2 seconds and stop, now this is not the first time this has happened when I did not use the car for some days. I only notice this when I switch to Mobil 1. Anyway tips on how to fix this problem. Oh and I always turn the key and let the car power up for a second or two before starting

 

It is preferable to have a descriptive Subject line.
Instead of Has anyone ever experience this problem?
you could use Loud clatter during first 2 seconds.



When the engine is running the oil pump draws oil from the sump and sends it
upward through passages called oil galleries to cool and lubricate all the
internal moving parts of the engine. When the engine is turned off,
gravity will cause the oil in the galleries to flow "backward" through the
oil filter and return to the sump unless something prevents that. The
anti-drainback valve is a one-way valve (a "check valve") which prevents
this from happening.

If the filter has a leaky anti-drainback valve the galleries become empty
when the engine is not running. When the engine is started it takes a few
seconds for the oil pump to refill the galleries. During that refill time
the engine parts, especially the valves, make an unpleasant knocking,
clicking, or clattering sound. This symptom is more noticeable after a
long period of rest, 24 hours or more.

Oil filters made for use in an inverted or horizontal position have an
anti-drainback valve. This is true for ALL brands of oil filters. The
difference (if any) from one brand to another is the material used and the
quality of manufacturer. Any individual filter might have a bad
anti-drainback valve.

The filter media, bypass valve, and anti-drainback valve are all internal
parts of the oil filter. Therefore an oil filter is a "blind item"
because the user cannot judge the condition or quality by sight, sound,
smell, taste, or touch. When buying a blind item we make purchase
decisions based on "image" factors such as the influence of advertising and
brand loyalties. Choosing a good filter is further complicated by the fact
that the same product may be sold under several brand names. Filter brands
A, B, and C may be identical except for the brand name and exterior color.
The supplier for filter brand D might be the same as brand A for this year,
but be changed to brand B next year. Industry insiders will know about
this but most consumers will not.

Your engine exhibited the symptoms of a bad anti-drainback valve. Please replace the filter.
You might try a different brand of filter but
(as explained above) it might turn out to be an identical product. I
personally do not believe in the inherent superiority of the factory part
but respect the opinion of those who do.

 

Thanks for answering Daniel, the filter is a OEM filter it has about 1,200 miles on it. I do understand that gravity will cause the oil to galleries to flow "backward" through the oil filter, but is there some thing like a pre-oiler or something like that. I am assuming that over a period of time this could turn into a big problem

 

Don't make this a bigger problem than it really is. Replace the oil filter and see if that solves the problem.

 

I'll try that Thanks !

 

A good reference on oil filter designs from the major players:

http://members.nbci.com/minimopar/oilfilters.html


I would think the Nissan OEM one shouldn't fail after 1200 miles, but there is always a bad fish.

 

I'm familiar with the work of Russell W. Knize and am favorably impressed with it. Knize deserves a lot of credit for ...
1) funding this work out of his own pocket
2) standing up to the bullying done by Fram

On the basis of his findings I shy away from Fram filters. However, let's recognize the limits of Knize's work, limits which he makes very clear.
1) He didn't measure filtering capacity.
2) He didn't measure for anti-drainback valve leakage.
3) He evaluated filters for the 5-liter Ford V8, not the Maxima VQ30DE engine.

Yes, there is always the rotten apple in the barrel. I personally experienced a name-brand filter with a leaking anti-drainback valve only once. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen.