Hello all,
I have a 98 SE with 37000 miles. For the past year or so I have noticed that if I leave the car parked for 1 or more week (consulting gig), when I start the car, there is a few seconds of grinding noise coming from engine area- probably from lack of oil lube. In addition, I just recently paid attention to this; I also discovered that a puff of white smoke would come out of the tail pipe when the engine grinding noise happened.
I am just wondering if
1. anyone else has encountered similar problems?
2. is that normal since the valve is not hydraulic?
3. do I need to use regular oil instead of mobil 1?
4. what causes the puff of smoke?
Thanks very much for your response.

 

I also experience this noise when the car has been sitting for over 48 hrs. I think it's because that all the oil has settle to the bottom of the pan, and for that breif second while it's being pumped up there, it makes that grind. I wouldn't think that this is good for the car, but no one has offered a solution for this, so I don't know what to do.

 

I have had the same problem on my '96. Only thing I know of is a pre oiler system that pumps up the oil pressure before you start the car. The only manufacturer I have seen is this one. A little too expensive though. Check it out....
http://www.preluber.com

Maybe we can get a group deal going??

 

I carpool, so every other week my car sits in the garage untouched. Everytime I start it, it sounds terrible for the first 18-20 seconds. I hate it.

 

Hi all. Same problem here with my 99 SE. I don't have any smoking issues, but I drive the Max every other day, and when I start it up the valve clatter is positively frightening for about 18-20 seconds.

If I start the car every day - no valve clatter at all!! It's been like that since it was new.

-GP

 

Hmm...this doesn't sound healthy for the car. And it seems like alot of us experience this. How much is that pre oiler thing??

 

Wow, it's $500 for the basic one. That is kinda expensive, but if it solved the probelm......



http://www.preluber.com

Maybe we can get a group deal going??

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heard what you are describing. I only have 15K miles, and use 5W30 Non-synthetic oil. Might that be the difference, or will i hear it later on in "life"?

 

I use regular oil and change it at 2999 miles.

 

Perhaps this is caused by an oil filter with a defective anti-drainback
valve. Change your oil and filter, and see if the symptom persists. Try
a different brand of oil filter this time.

 

I have a 98 SE and have the same experience mentioned here especially when the weather gets cooler and drops below 5 degree C (sorry guys I live in Canada).

One way I was able to minimize it is by changing my oil to light weight synthetic oil such as 5w30.

 

what oil filters are u guys using?

 

the anti-drainback valve on oil filters. Although I only use Fram (no flames please), and have never had any start-up grinding noise.

 

I get my oil changed at the dealership. So I'M Aassuming that they use an OEM filter and 5W30 regualr (non-sysnthetic) oil. What oil other filter should I try and use?

 

Yes, its definately the oil filter. I know that for a fact. Only thing is, all the really good filters with good anti drainback valves (Mobil 1, K&N, etc.) cost big bucks. Kinda sucks we cant use a regular filter and not have this problem.

 

i use pure 1 oil filter since it has a
valve that traps the oil when you
shut down your engine. so next time you
start your car, oil can be available
to the engine rather than waiting for
it to come from the pan. i never had that
prob.

 

I don't have a favorite brand. I suggest you try any name-brand filter and see if it does a better job than the OEM filter.

Incidentally, I've heard stories about Nissan dealers using Brand-X filters when doing their Express Oil Change deals. They shouldn't do this, but some of them take every opportunity to squeeze out another dime of profit.

 

I have always used Mobil 1 sync oil 10-30 and OEM Nissan filters. My maxima makes the grinding noise if I leave it parked for several days. Something else I noticed as well- if the car is parked uphill, the engine makes the grinding noise in a couple days. If the car is parked heading downhill, it can go on for than 1 wk before the noise comes out.