I have a 2K3 with 15K miles. I Just switched to Castrol full synthetic 5W-30 at 15K. Recently, I let the Max sit for two days. When I started it the rods & main bearings rattled briefly. I removed/replaced the Bosch filter thinking the filter check valve was bad and the filter "leaked down". I haven't had time to let it sit for two days again to see if the new Amsoil premium filter fixed the problem. Any one else expeirencing this?

 

Nope, and I have been using synthetic since 1000 miles. I now only have 7K but none of these types of problems.

 

The first synthetic oil I installed was CASTROL Syntec 5W-30, A Honda was the car I started with. I ran the Syntec about 500 miles and the engine sounded terrible. I then put AMSOIL 0W-30 in the Honda and 4 other cars. Motor sounds great and no problems with any of the cars. I wasn't very impressed with Syntec although I had used the Castrol GTX 5W-30 oil for years. I guess the ability to make good dino oil doesn't necessarily transfer to synthetic technology.

 

I seriously doubt it was your rod and main bearings rattling. Probably your valve train from sitting for a couple of days. It went away after a couple of seconds, right? Normal-

 

Sounds like a dry start, most of the oil may have drained down and if it was only a few seconds, may have been a bit dry...A theory anyway.

 

Castrol doesn't make a full synthetic(in the U.S.), they just call it one.

 

Used Castrol Syntec in my Honda Civic year past with the same problem. Switched to Amsoil 0w-30 and the problem went away and never came back.

 

No prob here but I use Mobile One 5-30wt.

 

That's right. Mobil took Castrol to court because Castrol claimed that their oil was 100% synthetic when in reality it was just like any other conventional oil. BTW, Mobil lost in court and Castrol is LOL.

 

The engine starts up rough after sitting for a few days... I wouldn't worry about it.... usually the timing chain ticks for a few seconds upon a cold start as well....

 

I started using mobil 1 syn when my car had 15k. No problems. The grinding sound on the start is normal I think. I heard people on another thread saying it was normal with timing chain or something.

 

What a coincidence, the Honda I put the Syntec in was a 98 Civic EX. It reaaalllly sounded terrible! Put in the AMSOIL 0W-30 and it is very quiet. Been running AMSOIL about 16 months now with great oil analysis results.

 

How much is a quart of amsoil cost? Is it ok to use another filter as well?

 

I bought a whole bunch of AMSOIL 0W-30 off ebay for $45 a case (12 quarts). I bought 5 cases. Then AMSOIL must have cracked down on internet sales as those prices have never been seen again. I've got about $4.25 including shipping in each quart. I started out using AMSOIL filters but have switched to Baldwin filters (they make AMSOIL filters). I get the Baldwin filters locally for $5.25. Mobil 1 Filter with Synthetic Media is good but pricey ($10.60). The OEM filter is also quite good and around $5.00. There are several forum members who will sell you AMSOIL products at cost, this is probably the most cost effective way to buy them. Off the top of my head iwannabmw sells AMSOIL products. You might want to consider AMSOIL's 5W-30 oil versus 0W-30 to save some money. I got their best when I was getting it so cheap. Hope this helps!

 

y do you use 0w-30? isnt that for four-stroke engines?

 

The AMSOIL 0W-30 is for car, truck, suv applications, etc. Yes it is for 4 cycle engines which is what the previously mentioned vehicles have. There is a AMSOIL 0W-40 which is designed for 4 cycle engines on mowers, edgers, ATVs, etc., it is what I use in my mower and edger.

 

You are right. My car is parked 2-3 Weeks at times (I have a daily driver).. Although it never makes any noises starting up, I have heard this on my other Maxima. Its the Chain. It goes away 1-2 seconds later. Nothing to worry about.

 

Amsoil cracked down on Ebay, you shouldn't be able to find it at all there anymore. If it is showing up, those sellers won't be dealer's for much longer.

 

Amsoil ...

 

Going OT, but... Is there something particularly special about Amsoil? I keep hearing the name around here. I'm very happy with my Mobil 1, BTW.

 

Amsoil is a company that has the philosophy to manufacture synthetic lubricants from only the best ingredients. They choose their formulations based on performance, not cost and are extremely **** about quality control. In a nutshell, without straying too far from this thread, they are one of the top synthetic lubricant's available.



















Mobil 1's not bad though.