Can changing from 5w30 to 10w30 wreak this much havoc?

[Rev_D21]

I decided to experiment with my oil change this month. I have used 5w30 Mobil1 since I bought the truck in 2008. This time I thought I would try 10w30 Mobil1 to see if it helps speed up the KAs ability to build oil pressure. It seems to have failed miserably. The amount of rocker noise increased and not only that but now I have marbles in the oil pan, slightly. I have babied this engine since I did the timing chain 40,000 miles ago. It's not chain noise, it's coming from the back of the head and somewhere in the bowels of the block. I am switching it back to 5w30 today. Could 10w30 have caused this? I find it hard to believe but then again, stranger things have been known to happen.

[mrecoolgar]

The oil change must have allowed a blockage to happen.
Limiting or totally restricting an oil pasage.

[RT22]

yep blockage is likely problem, the thicker oil though not much thicker is trying to pass thorough a semi clogged galley.

[Rev_D21]

I drained it and put 5w30 back in.

[jdansmith]

Is their a reduction in engine noise after the oil change? With the Heat in the east this year I would be surprised if it made that much difference. I would suspect some carbon build up if it's been babied most of its life. I run all my cars pretty hard once in a while to blow out carbon.

We just put a cat delete full exhaust on a friends mustang because she heard
"marbles rattling" so after some investigating a catalytic converter had broken loose and was rattling around in its housing. Have you tried the old long screwdriver stethoscope to track it's location?

[Rev_D21]

The engine noise has returned to normal. Weird, I did not expect that from this engine. I spoke with a friend who has been turning wrenches for Nissan since the mid 80's and he said I should add a bottle of STP oil treatment to help keep chain noise to a min during start ups. He's owned nothing but Nissan trucks trucks since I met him in 97 and I know he's driven them since before that so his word is truth to me. I used to use the stuff but I am not a huge into oil treatments these days. I decided to try it along with the switch back to 5w30. The engine is quieter, as quiet as a KA can be I guess.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I was going to say, you might want to give the crank case the seafoam treatment before switching back to 10w30.

Is your engine slow to build oil pressure as-is?

[Rev_D21]

Yeh, it takes a second or two before the gauge moves off zero. I am starting to think my rockers are making all the noise.

[Drafteddesign]

I think you may be onto something there, Rev. My rockers sound like a diesel tractor on startup. 3 seconds after startup, its smooth as silk. My mechanic thinks the rockers lost their oil when I had my head machined. Is it possible yours has a similar issue?

[Rev_D21]

I pulled the valve cover and plugs. I had my tenant hold the key while I watched the cam and rockers. Everything is getting oil good but it seemed the hydraulic rocker pistons were not moving in their bores, this very well might be because the engine is not at full pressure at cranking speed. I didn't hear any clacking noise. I will continue to investigate this week. I am starting to think I might just go ahead with a stage 1 or 2 cam regrind with new manual rockers. Everyone seems to have problems with the hydraulic rockers. Pulling the rocker cover to adjust the lash every 15,000 miles doesn't bother me, I've barely put 2,000 miles on the truck this year.

[Q451990]

There is a great article on oil called Motor Oil 101 (or something like that) at the homepage of the Bob is the Oil Guy site. From what I remember, the first number of the oil's name before the W has more to do with viscosity when the oil is cold - at startup. The goal is to get to the second number's viscosity as soon as possible during the warm-up cycle. After reading that, and the author's opinion about the best oils on the market, I switched to M1 0W-30 on the Q and G.

I'm still running 5W-30 Pennzoil Platinum in my D22 until I clear out my $1/qt stash that I hoarded a year or two ago.

Heath

[Rev_D21]

Well it begins, I have decided I am going to rebuild and modify the head, a winter project. Port , polish, deck, valve job, camshaft regrind and solid rockers. I might go so far as swap to a 240 plenum as well. I am researching, drawing out the plans and figuring pricing right now. Down with these hydraulic lifters!