Is it possible for a cheap oil filter to cause timing chain noise??

[justchecking]

Sounds crazy, but I think I have data to back it up. Some time ago I changed jobs and started to get oil changes done at a different franchise oil change place. Sometime later, I started to hear what sounded like light pinging coming from under the hood in certain rpm ranges. So I figured I would put in 93 octane for a while til I figured it out. But, the pinging didn't stop. So I got on here and read up on the timing chain tensioner problems, and found out about the TSB. I HAD that rattle in the right RPM ranges so I was sure that was the problem. Sometime later, the pinging went away. Hmmm. Then it was back. The gone and back happened to coincide with me changing the oil filter then them changing the oil filter. Since then I've repeated that again with the same results. RIght now, no rattle, and I put a Bosch filter on (since it was on sale at AUtozone). I'm sure if I go back to the franchise the rattle will be back, but that couldn't be a good thing, so I think I won't.

So, could it be the oil filter? I think it has always had 5w30 quaker state or penzoil so I don't think that is it. The franchise oil filter is a white one. I think 'Service' brand made in CHINA.

 

[Cobraguy]

Everyone is going to laugh at this, but believe it or not, we had a couple of 03/04 Cobras that exhibited engine noise that was caused by a cheap filter. Once the filter was changed, the noise quit on both of them. Can't remember the brand. Only thing we could assume was it was a bypass valve hitting hard. Very weird. So yes...I believe it.

By the way, stay away from Fram and other bargain filters. Don't buy what's on sale. Use a high quality filter such as Wix or Motorcraft. There are others that are good, but those two never seem to cause a problem and are reasonably priced. And of course, Motorcraft is factory. Wix is the best aftermarket filter made IMO. Get it at NAPA or Carquest as their top of the line filter. Make sure you ask for their best they have or you will get a cheapie. Champion Labs is usually good too. They market under different names, but you need to be careful with them. They also make some cheap junk for private labeling.

 

[rumpledoll]

Oddly enough the same sort of thing happened to me. My 2002 V6 Eddie Bauer has what I always thought was the timing chain rattle. I always got the oil changed at a local mechanic until recently when the DIY bug hit again (happens every few decades).

I changed my oil to Amsoil SSO 0W-30 synthetic with a WIX filter. Lo and behold, no timing change rattle. I have attributed this to the very good oil doing a better job lubricating the chain and guides rather than the bulk oil the truck was formerly using, but I suppose the rattle could have been the cheap oil filters all along in which case the WIX filter fixed that.

Rumple

 

[justchecking]

Ah ha. I think it was the cheap filters. I was going to keep the last one and cut it open, but had too many other things to do so I pitched it. Now, I'm even more curious.

 

[jrford]

i have been using Motorcraft, can't find the Wix close by.
I noticed in the Motorcraft filter there seems to be an extra spring, Just under the threads. Cheap filters don't have it. . . . .i assume its a blowby valve or something if the filter get clogged or the oil too thick.

 

[rumpledoll]

On the Motorcraft filter you are seeing the pressure relief valve. Some filters have them at the dome end, others at the inlet end. The Motorcraft apparently has it at the inlet end.

The purpose of the bypass valve is to allow oil to flow by bypassing the filter in the case that the filter is too clogged to allow a good oil flow. The idea is that dirty oil is very much preferable to no oil in an engine.

Rumple

 

[Spdrcer34]

Exactly.....

I would rather have DIRTY oil in the passages over NO oil in them...

Ryan

 

[patrick112390]

i always use mobil 1 full synthetic and mobil 1 filter every 5k..i have 134,x.. on er;......cheap insurance

 

[TheJackal]

Lately I've only been using the Motorcraft or NAPA filters.

Like cobraguy said, if you do use the NAPA filter, ask for the NAPA Gold. Don't get the ProSelect, I found it to be of inferior quality even tho it's also supposedly a Wix filter.

 

[TekMan05]

I've been running a combination of a K&N filter with Royal Purple Synthetic for about 21,000 miles now!

 

[Cobraguy]

I haven't inspected a K & N filter. I hear they are good. I don't know who manufactures them...if it's K&N or someone like Champion Labs.

 

[ThePhoenix]

i changed my pcv valve and that seem to quiet what I thought was timing chain rattle. Maybe a clogged pcv made it ping...maybe that is what I was hearing