Kizashi Club

NAPA Gold. I've used them in the Kiz before I started stocking the OE filters. I've been using them on and off for years in many different vehicles w/ zero issues. It's a solid well made WIX filter. The cut-open reveals the construction is top notch w/ a quality valve.

KuroNekko wrote:

redmed wrote:I had a stash of Quaker State filters in a cabinet that also contains a spare motorcycle battery. I also had a container of battery acid for that battery in that cabinet that leaked on the filters so those QS filters are ruined. I had a Bosch filter that was not ruined that I installed. I took the Kizashi today for a trip on the highway hoping the change to a different oil (Quaker State Synthetic) and filter (Bosch Premium) would reduce the clatter after coming off the highway. It did not. Now, I don't think a change of oil or filter will reduce the clatter. I'm now looking for some better oil filters than the Quaker State filters that are not real expensive. I had kind of decided on Bosch Premiums and today's trip was a test run to see if there was any change of the clatter. But since the Bosch filter did not seem to affect the engine any different than the Quaker State filter, I'm hesitant on my choice of getting some Bosch Premium filters. Any suggestions? Purolator One?

Have you tried Bosch Distance Plus? These are the top tier filters by Bosch and are a bit more expensive than Bosch Premiums, but higher quality and designed for longer OCIs. I've used them and get no noise. Mobil 1 filters are smaller than the OE size, but work well for my Kizashi too. I'm currently using a K&N with no complaints.

Just keep in mind that if the clattering keeps up regardless of filter and oil combo, you may possibly have some sludge issues that's maybe slowing down oil flow in some passages. Synthetic oils will help clean then engine over time, but there are engine flushes that do the job much better. Not sure if possible sludge issues apply to you (maybe from previous owner if your car was pre-owned?) but it's well documented that engine flushes quiet down high mileage engines. Auto-RX is well regarded and I've personally used it in prior cars with high mileage with positive results.

I'm the original owner and my Kiz has 62,000 miles. I first changed the oil at 1,000 miles with regular Pennzoil 5w-30 and drove that for 3,000 before I started using synthetic oils exclusively and changing at 5,000 miles. I have used Pennzoil Platinum for a few oil changes. Then NAPA had a sale on their synthetic oil that I used for another 6,000. I then used Mobil 1 and my first time I used a Quaker State filter. That was the first time I heard the clatter. After another 7,000 miles with the Mobil 1 I switched back to Pennzoil Platinum and another QS filter for another 9,000 miles. I just did another oil change with Quaker State Ultimate Durability and the Bosch filter. So I didn't think I have sludge issues, but now I'm beginning to wonder. I was skeptical of the NAPA synthetic, maybe I got some sludge pushing that oil for 6,000 miles. I'm also skeptical of the Quaker State filters, they may be OK for 3,000 miles but now that I'm pushing oil changes from 5,000 to 7,000 and now 9,000 miles, maybe I have been pushing cheap oil filters too far with my extended oil changes? But my logic was that some folks use the same filter for two oil changes so 5-6k on a oil filter was not asking too much.

The lifters do sound oil starved on the Kizashi just after getting off the freeway. My two suspects are pushing the base oil filters too far and the NAPA synthetic oil. But I have been using the Napa synthetic oil and the same Quaker State filters on my Toyota that has 196,000 miles and the Toyota engine is as quiet as a mouse. Maybe it's not oil/lifters but something else mechanical. I can't think of anything else that would make that clatter for a short time after driving 70+ mph. Or maybe I'm listening too hard (paranoid) but my wife noticed the clatter herself and she usually ignores anything mechanical.

Ronzuki wrote:NAPA Gold. I've used them in the Kiz before I stated stocking the OE filters. I've been using them on and off for years in many different vehicles w/ zero issues. It's a solid well made WIX filter. The cut-open reveals the construction is top notch w/ a quality valve.

I have read good things about NAPA Gold filters. I think they are the same as another brand Wix makes. I usually buy my car stuff from Rock Auto and they don't have NAPA brand filters. I do think I read that NAPA has a sale on these filters sometime I'll watch for a sale.

redmed wrote: I'm the original owner and my Kiz has 62,000 miles. I first changed the oil at 1,000 miles with regular Pennzoil 5w-30 and drove that for 3,000 before I started using synthetic oils exclusively and changing at 5,000 miles. I have used Pennzoil Platinum for a few oil changes. Then NAPA had a sale on their synthetic oil that I used for another 6,000. I then used Mobil 1 and my first time I used a Quaker State filter. That was the first time I heard the clatter. After another 7,000 miles with the Mobil 1 I switched back to Pennzoil Platinum and another QS filter for another 9,000 miles. I just did another oil change with Quaker State Ultimate Durability and the Bosch filter. So I didn't think I have sludge issues, but now I'm beginning to wonder. I was skeptical of the NAPA synthetic, maybe I got some sludge pushing that oil for 6,000 miles. I'm also skeptical of the Quaker State filters, they may be OK for 3,000 miles but now that I'm pushing oil changes from 5,000 to 7,000 and now 9,000 miles, maybe I have been pushing cheap oil filters too far with my extended oil changes? But my logic was that some folks use the same filter for two oil changes so 5-6k on a oil filter was not asking too much.

The lifters do sound oil starved on the Kizashi just after getting off the freeway. My two suspects are pushing the base oil filters too far and the NAPA synthetic oil. But I have been using the Napa synthetic oil and the same Quaker State filters on my Toyota that has 196,000 miles and the Toyota engine is as quiet as a mouse. Maybe it's not oil/lifters but something else mechanical. I can't think of anything else that would make that clatter for a short time after driving 70+ mph. Or maybe I'm listening too hard (paranoid) but my wife noticed the clatter herself and she usually ignores anything mechanical.

Given that you're the original owner, the mileage is low, and that you have a good practice of using quality products at regimented intervals, it doesn't sound like sludge issues. It's hard to pinpoint but your story does remind me of a lifter tapping noise (very pronounced) I had in my Impreza for a long time. I tried all kinds of stuff to get rid of it including two engine flushes and taking out the hydraulic lifters and manually refilling them with oil. It was then that I realized one of them was collapsed and not filled with oil. After refilling and putting everything back together, the noise went away but came back shortly after. I then decided to take the actual rockers off that held the lifters, disassemble, and inspect them carefully. It was then that I discovered a tiny piece of plastic that had wedged itself in an oil passage in the rocker. I'm talking about a hole about 3mm in diameter. It also happened to be the passage for the lifter that kept collapsing. After removing the piece of plastic (it was the type and color of plastic consistent with an oil jug cap), the noise permanently ceased and never came back. It was then that I confirmed the noise was caused by oil starvation from the piece of plastic blocking the lifter's oil passage. It's quite possible that the piece of plastic was from the cap of an oil container and the logical explanation of it getting into the engine is when I pre-filled the oil filter. The reason why some people don't pre-fill is because oil poured into the filter for pre-filling is actually unfiltered by the oil filter before entering the engine. It's one of the arguments against the practice.

However, my understanding is that the Kizashi uses solid lifters and requires periodic valve clearance checks as outlined in the owner's manual.

KuroNekko wrote:

redmed wrote: I'm the original owner and my Kiz has 62,000 miles. I first changed the oil at 1,000 miles with regular Pennzoil 5w-30 and drove that for 3,000 before I started using synthetic oils exclusively and changing at 5,000 miles. I have used Pennzoil Platinum for a few oil changes. Then NAPA had a sale on their synthetic oil that I used for another 6,000. I then used Mobil 1 and my first time I used a Quaker State filter. That was the first time I heard the clatter. After another 7,000 miles with the Mobil 1 I switched back to Pennzoil Platinum and another QS filter for another 9,000 miles. I just did another oil change with Quaker State Ultimate Durability and the Bosch filter. So I didn't think I have sludge issues, but now I'm beginning to wonder. I was skeptical of the NAPA synthetic, maybe I got some sludge pushing that oil for 6,000 miles. I'm also skeptical of the Quaker State filters, they may be OK for 3,000 miles but now that I'm pushing oil changes from 5,000 to 7,000 and now 9,000 miles, maybe I have been pushing cheap oil filters too far with my extended oil changes? But my logic was that some folks use the same filter for two oil changes so 5-6k on a oil filter was not asking too much.

The lifters do sound oil starved on the Kizashi just after getting off the freeway. My two suspects are pushing the base oil filters too far and the NAPA synthetic oil. But I have been using the Napa synthetic oil and the same Quaker State filters on my Toyota that has 196,000 miles and the Toyota engine is as quiet as a mouse. Maybe it's not oil/lifters but something else mechanical. I can't think of anything else that would make that clatter for a short time after driving 70+ mph. Or maybe I'm listening too hard (paranoid) but my wife noticed the clatter herself and she usually ignores anything mechanical.

Given that you're the original owner, the mileage is low, and that you have a good practice of using quality products at regimented intervals, it doesn't sound like sludge issues. It's hard to pinpoint but your story does remind me of a lifter tapping noise (very pronounced) I had in my Impreza for a long time. I tried all kinds of stuff to get rid of it including two engine flushes and taking out the hydraulic lifters and manually refilling them with oil. It was then that I realized one of them was collapsed and not filled with oil. After refilling and putting everything back together, the noise went away but came back shortly after. I then decided to take the actual rockers off that held the lifters, disassemble, and inspect them carefully. It was then that I discovered a tiny piece of plastic that had wedged itself in an oil passage in the rocker. I'm talking about a hole about 3mm in diameter. It also happened to be the passage for the lifter that kept collapsing. After removing the piece of plastic (it was the type and color of plastic consistent with an oil jug cap), the noise permanently ceased and never came back. It was then that I confirmed the noise was caused by oil starvation from the piece of plastic blocking the lifter's oil passage. It's quite possible that the piece of plastic was from the cap of an oil container and the logical explanation of it getting into the engine is when I pre-filled the oil filter. The reason why some people don't pre-fill is because oil poured into the filter for pre-filling is actually unfiltered by the oil filter before entering the engine. It's one the arguments against the practice.

However, my understanding is that the Kizashi uses solid lifters and requires periodic valve clearance checks as outlined in the owner's manual.

Thanks, I assumed the Kiz had hydraulic lifters. Solid lifter out of spec would explain the noise I'm hearing. Ehh, another task. I have been busy lately fixing electronic stuff around the house blown by what I think was a near lighting strike.

I'm glad my dealer uses Suzuki filters on my Kizashi.......

Last oil change before i went to Florida in September was Pennzoil Platinum Full Syn and Mobil oil filter no problem with this combo no noise from under the hood .

WESHOOT2 wrote:Also interesting; with a cumulative 220K on my Kizashis, I've done every oil change at the dealer.
They use Suzuki filters, and I have no idea of the oil.
But I got no clatter........

I have the same case, this threat really helps me get ideas. Thanks !

So now that the Kizashi is well outside of warranty and I know how many miles we run each year, I'm going to move to an Amsoil regiment once a year. I've already purchased the oil and 3 filters. I just need a new cap wrench that fits the amsoil filter and a place to do the first oil change. Auto-rx sounds like a great thing to add along the way. I've run some seafoam, but it hasn't help quiet down the engine noise I've heard now for the last 25k miles. This should be the ultimate extended drain with superior protection.

some people using 0W20? My manual recommends 0W20