Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I'm a "Pennzoil guy", but I do not use PP or PU in our Honda. The clatter from the engine with that oil in it is unbearable. I guess it's a piston slap type noise, but it persists for many miles, and it sounds like a loose wrist pin when it's very cold out. I've used a lot of different oils in this engine and SOPUS synthetics just don't seem to agree with it for some reason (this includes QSUD). Mobil 1 runs quiet in it, as does most conventional oil, including SOPUS conventional. But this engine is consistently loud on SOPUS synthetic oil.
I'm sure it's not "in my head". My wife comments about it, so she can hear it, too. I've been conditioned to think that Mobil 1 is "loud", and indeed it was pretty loud in a Chrysler van we used to own. I tried it once in the Honda, expecting to not like it, but I had to swallow my words on that one because it runs great in that engine. Additionally, SOPUS synthetics run very quiet in our Acura's engine. That engine doesn't seem to care what goes in it...it's quiet on everything.
So...I learn over time what oils sound the best in my engines. I know they're all 110% capable of protecting the engine. So I buy based on other factors. Namely, price and personal satisfaction.
What oils are quieter? Friend of mine has a 2005 Accord J30 and it is super noisey on cold mornings. Quiets right up once it is up to temperature. He doesn't change the oil .... and uses the quick lube stuff , so this is more out of curiosity than anything.