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Originally Posted by Alan G
Hi. My 2002 S-10 with 56000 (mostly highway) miles on it has a rapping sound that is heard right after start-up , lasts for 30 - 120 seconds after which it then smooths out and purrs like a kitten! This is the case in the mornings after sitting all night. When the engine is not cold or when ambient temperatures are warmer, the noise is not heard but for a few seconds or not at all. Runs GREAT after warm-up. Could this be a noisy or bad lifter or possibly a slight exhaust leak?? How serious might the problem be since it does okay warm? Any help GREATLY appreciated. Thank you!
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Gonna springboard off some of the good info already passed.....
Oil... what weight are you using? Most cars these days have a factory recommendation of 5W30. The "5" part of the equation means the oil will flow like a straight 5 weight oil when cold. Modern oil pumps and engine design are such that the lighter weight oil is needed to allow the flow for proper lubrication on a cold start. Using 10w30 is typically not needed and certainly not for wintertime use (and any oils stouter than this are usually *not* recommended).
Reference your owners manual for the recommended oil weights based on the tempurature range you expect to encounter.
BTW... how cold is cold? What are your overnight temps?
Oil Filter... oil filters have an anti-drainback valve as part of their design. Some filters have better ones than others. The valve helps to retain oil in the upper oil passages/galleries; an important function for long term (as in overnight) shut down of the engine. If you're using a FRAM filter or one of the no-name cheapies from the local Qwickie Lube, do yourself, and your engine, a favor and get a good oil filter. What's good? AC/Delco, NAPA Gold and Purolator all make very good filters with good anti-drainback valves. There's some good info on the web about filters and what's inside them. If you do allow the pimple-faced, semi-comatose neandrathals at the local "Kwik Loob" to change your oil then bring your own filter.... and prime it.... as in, fill it with oil before it is installed on your engine. Doing this will minimize the time your engine runs "dry" (zero oil pressure) while the oil pump first fills up the oil filter before building pressure and lubricating the rest of your engine. Tell them you want 5W30 oil (or at least check to make sure they stock it) otherwise you'll probably get 10w30.
If this were my truck, *I* would change the oil using 5W30 (dino or synth, whatever rolls your sox up or your wallet allows) and install an AC oil filter.... and see what happens.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
Happy New Year!
Mike
