Another oil/engine noise question.

[VTR8Clubby]

I've had the VT for around 3 months now. Engine was quiet cold or warm.
I changed the oil and put in Shell Helix eco 10(10w30) and I noticed that when cold, if the revs went over about 2000rpm it sounded like a sewing machine. The noise disappeared after as soon as it started to warm up a little.
It was annoying me, so, after reading countless threads on oils I thought I'd try the Magnatec 10w40. It still sounds the same.:bawl:
I have no idea what oil was in it when I bought it.
Should I try a heavier oil or is it normal?
Is it going to do any damage?

PS. I drive it like a baby until warm but it can be hard to keep it under 2000rpm sometimes.

[ben77]

G'Day,

A couple of questions to get the ball rolling...

1) Was the oil the only thing that changed?
2) Sewing machine noise like a belt slipping???
3) Spill any oil?
4) What's your warm up sequence... i.e 60 second idle, 5 mins under 2500rpm then the next 10 minutes under 3500rpm, then hell for leather?
5) If you get someone to rev the car and pop the hood, is the sound coming from any particular place in the engine.. Fornt/back/high/low?
6) How many k's has the engine done?
8) How much oil is in it?
9) Do you get good oil pressure on startup?
10) Is it the std sump/filter arrangement?

Cheers
Ben.

[VTR8Clubby]

1. Yes I only changed oil and filter
2. It's not a slipping belt. Sounds like rocker noise.
3. No spilt oil.
4. I jump in and drive it under 2500rpm until fully warm.
5. Sound like rockers.
6. 73000km. Had new pistons/rings at 50000km. Done under warranty.
7. At the full mark on dipstick.
8. Only takes a second or 2 to get to pressure.
9. Standard sump etc.

[ben77]

Just a thought.... Theory only.... (run awaaaayyyy) :eyes:

Possibly 10w not lubricating sufficiently until the heat/pressure closes up lifter/pushrod/rocker/valve tolerences?
Thicker oil on startup may take a touch (bazillisecond) longer to circulate but take up some of the tolerence in the lifter/pushrod/rocker/valve? Hyd lifters playing up?

Perhaps a 15w + or rocker arm adjustment?

That's it for my small brain, hopefully some professional help is on it's way from the other members.

What oil does the manufacturer recommend?

Cheers
Ben.

[paul05]

1. Yes I only changed oil and filter
2. It's not a slipping belt. Sounds like rocker noise.
3. No spilt oil.
4. I jump in and drive it under 2500rpm until fully warm.
5. Sound like rockers.
6. 73000km. Had new pistons/rings at 50000km. Done under warranty.
7. At the full mark on dipstick.
8. Only takes a second or 2 to get to pressure.
9. Standard sump etc.

my sons ls1 had the same thing happen ,sounded like a rocker or top of the conrod /piston. it was a small leak in the right hand extracter as the studs had come loose,simple in the end.it did sound exspensive and took it to holden at parramatta and the wanker(mechanic) said "it sounds exspensive mate, piston slap" .i think because the problems ls1's have it is natural that it would be your first thought,lets hope it's simple too.

[VTR8Clubby]

Definately not piston slap or exhaust leak as it isn't coming from 1 cylinder. It sounds like the rocker gear when you have the engine running with no rocker cover.
I think it may just need a heavier oil.

[tuff304]

All i can suggest is trial and error. I've tried so many different oils and the one that suits my motor best is Mobil 1 synthetic 10w-30, it is noisey at startup but once its warms its pretty quiet. Some of the other oils that I have used and found to be good are:
magnatec, Nulon fast flow 15w-40, Penrite Sin 10, Sin 15.

[VTR8Clubby]

All i can suggest is trial and error. I've tried so many different oils and the one that suits my motor best is Mobil 1 synthetic 10w-30, it is noisey at startup but once its warms its pretty quiet. Some of the other oils that I have used and found to be good are:
magnatec, Nulon fast flow 15w-40, Penrite Sin 10, Sin 15.

Sort of what I was thinking. I'll probably go to something like the 15w40 next change and just live with it until then.

[burnout9]

try mobil semi synth 10w40

my vy cold or hot is very quiet and im very happy with it

remember when you change to a new oil and filter let it run in your engine for a while before making any judgement on engine noise

[RUF346]

I've had the VT for around 3 months now. Engine was quiet cold or warm.
I changed the oil and put in Shell Helix eco 10(10w30) and I noticed that when cold, if the revs went over about 2000rpm it sounded like a sewing machine. The noise disappeared after as soon as it started to warm up a little.
It was annoying me, so, after reading countless threads on oils I thought I'd try the Magnatec 10w40. It still sounds the same.:bawl:
I have no idea what oil was in it when I bought it.
Should I try a heavier oil or is it normal?
Is it going to do any damage?

PS. I drive it like a baby until warm but it can be hard to keep it under 2000rpm sometimes.
Hi, we have a VT R8 as well and the original sticker from HSV on the oil filler cap recommends Mobil 1. Hope this helps

[Smash]

Had a VT 5.0ltr in at work the other day that was doing the same thing, ticked like a bastard when it was cold until it got up to operating temperature, so we thought we would give some fortron engine crud a go, just to see what would happen.
Started with some engine lifter free, took the car for a 10k drive, then put in some engine flush, did another 10kms. Then dropped the oil, changed the filter put in some fresh oil with some oil conditioner and then ran it for 5 minutes. Waited until the next day (when it was stone cold) started it up and it was like a new one!

[BLAQSSHEV]

try mobil semi synth 10w40

my vy cold or hot is very quiet and im very happy with it

remember when you change to a new oil and filter let it run in your engine for a while before making any judgement on engine noise

We cant be putting all LS1's into the same bag..

The pistons were changed to a teflon coated cast piston around the end of VX/start of VY production. Rarely had any issues after that.

Maybe helps clear up some of the claims/theories about LS1's

[vxssgurl]

Could be rockers... could be the dreaded piston slap... could be any number of things really.

One simple thing though - if she sounds shite to drive when cold - the let her warm up to temp BEFORE you hit the street.

Pretty old school philosophy, and one the owner's manual tells you that you don't need to do, but if it IS piston slap, driving her cold is just going to make you cringe; cause VT's and VX's, contrary to the way they sound sometimes, are actually NOT tractors in disguise!

Ten minutes before you want to leave, turn her over, without hitting the go pedal. Just wait for the oil light to go off, crank her over, and let her do her thing til her idle sits on about 800.

Then you're all set.