Kizashi Club

When I first got my Kizashi back in June, there was one thing that bothered me just a little. (well, there's actually two, but that's another thread!) During a cold start in the morning, there was just a bit of clatter that lasted less than a second and then was fine. I would hear the same clatter if it sat for several hours between starts. On Saturday, I changed the oil and filter for the first time. The oil change was uneventful but it seemed like there wasn't as much oil in the filter as I expected when I removed it. Not as much leaked when the seal was broken and not very much remained in the filter. I though maybe it was because of the horizontal orientation. By the way, this filter is way easier to get at and get off/on than my SX4 and a lot of my other cars. I switched to synthetic and put on a K&N oil filter. (I like the 1" nut on the end for easy installation/removal. That in itself is worth the extra few bucks it costs) Anyway, back to the topic at hand. My cold starts are now quiet. Here's my question: Do you think it's a result of switching to synthetic oil (I don't know for sure there wasn't synthetic oil in the crank case already) or maybe the filter? My thinking is that the old filter either did not have or had a faulty check valve in is allowing the oil in it to partially drain out. To add one other thought, my SX4 always had a little clatter at start up and I used synthetic oil and K&N filters.

Thanks and cheers everyone!
Tim

What brand filter was previously fitted and what model number? It certainly sounds like the check valve might have been faulty (or non existent?) on whatever was previously fitted.

murcod wrote:What brand filter was previously fitted and what model number? It certainly sounds like the check valve might have been faulty (or non existent?) on whatever was previously fitted.

I'm not sure. It was blue with no label on it. I didn't check it closely before it went into the trash (after I drained the oil, of course!). I'm tempted to dig it out to see if I can find out. But I'm happy the starts are quiet now. Goes to show you that in some cases that you get what you pay for. A filter is not a filter and it makes sense (cents) to spend a little more on a quality one even if you change them out at the same interval.

It's most likely the anti-flow back valve of the new filter that is preventing oil from flowing out of the filter when the oil is not pressurized (engine off). These valves are on quality oil filters and matter when oil filters are mounted in a position other than straight up (opening facing up). Since our filters are mounted sideways, the valves work to keep oil in the filter.

While I am not exactly sure how it all works in relation to the noise, it's apparent that switching to the filter and oil made the difference. I am sure it's the filter, not the oil. I have never noticed this noise you are talking about, but I use high quality oil filters (currently using a Mobil 1 oil filter).

You can also buy filters with no anti drain back valves; higher quality filters will have silicone rubber anti drain valves.