Altima 3.5 valve noise; synthetic or regular oil?

[nissan03]

I purchased a used 03 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE about 8 months ago. Recently, I started putting in Mobile1 synthetic oil. After driving for about 2 1/2 months my car started shaking (at idle) and making a ticking sound. I took it in immediately and the mechanics could not find anything wrong w/ it other then that fact the I was 2 quarts low on oil. So when I heard I was low on oil I told the mechanic that I had just change the oil to synthetic a couple months ago and have only driving 2k miles since. As soon as he heard that, he told me to go back to regular oil. So that bring up my first question: should I stay on synthetic oil or should I switch back to regular oil?

Then the mechanic told me the ticking noise is coming from one of my valves (from driving on low oil). The mechanic told me that he top it off (oil) and that I should go get a new oil change w/ regular oil; right now I have a mix of synthetic and regular oil; is that bad? Also, he said that I should keep driving the vehicle and see if it gets better; should I do this or should I take it in to a dealership?

Thanks for your time; I can really use the help... Oh, I should also add that the ticking sound goes away after the engine warms up. And the shacking comes and goes; so some times it seams like there is nothing wrong w/ it... Drive great when I'm not idling!

Modified by nissan03 at 3:00 PM 10/17/2007
Modified by nissan03 at 3:02 PM 10/17/2007

[OldmanPurdy]

Ehhh 2 quarts low from using synthetic?? not sure about that, on the other hand early model vq35de engines have a common problem with the PCV valve where it gets clogged and results in excessive oil useage. I would reccomend changing the oil to regular as suggested by your dealer but keep a very close eye on the oil level, if it still drops too low you will want to change your pcv valve.

edit: the shackling noise you describe sounds like the timing chain tensioner which is operated by oil pressure, low oil levels or lower pressure in the oiling system can cause slack in the tensioner which cause the chain to bang on the timing cover.

[dcg129]

A newspaper writer syndicated said a 1 to 4 ratio of Syn oil to 4 dino qts will give you all the benfits of Syn oil and dino oil

[dcg129]

Also, running low on oil hurts the timming chain due to lack of oil. A nissan timming chain has a normal low grade ticking sound. They are very sensitive to failure when you run low on oil. I notice when my oil gets towards needing a change I can hear that sound louder. when the oil is new, i don't usually here any ticking sound from the chain. Your Syn oil should not have been the problem. I would lean towards the PCV fix previously mentioned. I did notice if i used to low a SAE grade on other cars, 0w-20 or 5w-30 when the specs called for 10w-30, it used much more oil. Also, at high speeds you lose oil faster. On long trips at high speeds it is impt. to check every fuel stop.

[dcg129]

If you have a ticking sound from your valves, I would use the product RESOLINE. One qt to 4 qts of oil.. This is great stuff . it is used as an upper lubercante. Was invented for the PT boats of WWII to make the valvu es last longer. It helped my VW losen up 3 stuck valves and stoped the tick on my Toyoto when it had 90k on it. The car has 141k on it now and is running better that when i got it with 64K.

[OldmanPurdy]

Is Resoline available in stores or is it a special order item, might have to give it a go in my KA24.

[dcg129]

most stores carry it. Wal mart does and advanced auto Kmart might

[5upra]

run what ever oil the manual tells you to run, thats what it was designed for.