zack1978 Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Hey everyone, When My Pathfinder was new (less than 20,000 miles) when you first started the engine when cold you would hear a valve tap until the oil pressure built up. At that point Nissan replaced the long block due to the valve tap. The noise still did not go away but it lessened. So fast forward to today the truck has 165,000 miles on it. I have always used Mobil 1, and it burns no oil at all. BUt now it seems that when it sits for a few days or so, when you start it the valve tap is much louder than it used to be. Any ideas? Thanks, Zack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_RI Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Well, the fact that it sits for a while allows most, if not all, oil to drain to the pan. A filter with a leaky ADBV will only compound the issue. The Mobil1 flows quickly, so that is not the issue assuming you use the 5W/10W - 30? Sludge deposits could impede the flow of the oil, but since you use Mobil1 this is probably unlikely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zack1978 Posted April 24, 2006 Author Share Posted April 24, 2006 When you take the oil fill cap off, the inside on the valve cover looks PERFECT! So I assume the innards of the engine are clean. It runs great, but it is just strange that it is louder than it used to be. But again it is olnly loud when you let it sit! Well the oil will be changed soon so if the ADBV in the filter is bad I will put a new one one soon. Also I have only EVER used an OEM Nissan filter. Thanks, Zack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_RI Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 You might try a Wix oil filter just to see if there is any difference. These are quality oil filters as well and they have a reliable silicone ADBV. The NAPA Gold and CarQuest Premium filters are also rebadged Wix filters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94extreme Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 mobil1 makes filters too. you sure it's valve tap? maybe the manifold is warped.. bad bolts... it's a common issue on these pups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9sar Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 the tapping is due to the fact that you have hydrolic lifters. It's a fact of life. The only way to eliminate the tapping at cold startup is to let your oil get sludgy enough so it doesn't drain out of the valve cover. Of course, that'd stop the engine noises too. cold startup tapping is just your lifters until they pump up. no biggie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowrider Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 the tapping is due to the fact that you have hydrolic lifters. It's a fact of life. The only way to eliminate the tapping at cold startup is to let your oil get sludgy enough so it doesn't drain out of the valve cover. Of course, that'd stop the engine noises too. cold startup tapping is just your lifters until they pump up. no biggie. Glad someone said it. Lifter tick is ok, don't worry about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9sar Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 Glad someone said it. chicken? heheheheh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94extreme Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 i dunno, i have never had a tick or a tap or anything like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheel366 Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 Try some Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer. My friend who has a camaro that puts out 1000HP to the wheels swears by it. Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundyboy Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Agreed. Had the same noise after driving the engine at 3/4 hot for about 8ookm's 4wdriving in high backcountry. Burnt off all the carbon deposits, had the cleanest engine ever, but noisy. Added an oil additive( which most people say are crap) and problem solved. Motor is now running so good it feels like new and I have 200,000km's on it, and I cane it out bush, burns not a drop, I have the same amount every oil change that I put in 6 months ago. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheel366 Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 You can also try a thicker oil. That may help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eli Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 You can also try a thicker oil. That may help. Ba advised that if you use a thicker oil, you'll keep the cams from getting proper oiling upon startup, which could be very bad in the long run. I got well over 100,000 miles with lifter tapping and 1 quart of oil burn per 2 tanks of fuel. It's a pain in the butt, but cheaper than the alternative. If you aren't experiencing oil burn, you want to rid the motor of obnoxious noises (for a while), and have some extra cash, consider getting some performance camshafts (ie eurospec or Isky), and replace your lifters and rockers. P.S. My lifters were VERY pitted on top from the bashing they took for all those years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kn0xville Posted April 29, 2006 Share Posted April 29, 2006 i had the problem, i have 170K on my pathy. I started using a filter with the anti-drain back valve.. problem solved! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zack1978 Posted April 29, 2006 Author Share Posted April 29, 2006 i had the problem, i have 170K on my pathy. I started using a filter with the anti-drain back valve.. problem solved! Does the OEM NIsaan filter have an anti drain back valve? All I have ever used in my Path is an OEM filter. At 165,000 miles, it does not burn a drop of oil! Zack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheel366 Posted April 29, 2006 Share Posted April 29, 2006 I'm not sure about the filter. I do know that after an engine wears you need to fill the gap. That is why I recommended a thicker oil. If you used say a mobil1 0W-40 that may help fill those gaps. I would try the lucas stuff first. I found another person who uses it today at my body shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pathylogical Posted May 2, 2006 Share Posted May 2, 2006 I have a similar problem on my 95 hardbody with the 4cyl. If I stop it Hot and let it sit a short time, it sounds like the engine is comming unglued. Very loud lifter clack. It goes away after a short period of time and will be smooth as a kitten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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