Best filter for preventing start up rattle???

[KCJeep]

Now that the temps have dipped again I'm dealing with start up rattle in my Jeep. I know it's probably harmless but I absolutely detest it. I get it for a few seconds once every 4-5 starts. I have tried just about every filter I can think of, and while they all perform fine when it's warmer once we get into the 30's and 40's here I get the occassional death rattle.

This is my third Jeep I-6 but the only one that has had this tendency. It was neglected by the PO and the inside of the engine is grungy even though it runs like a top. I wonder if that might have something to do with it.

I bought a Napa Gold with the intent of using it for the cold months as it had a silicone ADBV, thread end bypass and is a stoutly made filter. The ADBV on it won't even seal on the blow back test so I'm mighty disappointed and won't be using it.

I'm pondering trying a Motorcraft FL-400S, it's not a spec filter for my Jeep but it will fit just fine and has the features I hope will get this rattle to go away.

Any experiences with a particular filter that has done a good job of eliminatiing rattle?

For reference, filters I've already tried that will all produce intermittent rattle include: Puro Classic, PureOne, Motorcraft FL-1A, Fram Extended Guard XG8A, STP S8A, Baldwin B2 and the Wix Napa Gold I refuse to use.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I use the FL-1A ... I'm not sure about the WJs and their filter adapter, but from what I was reading, the FL-400 has a different thread on it. The FL-1A works great on my Jeep, no startup rattle.

I know for a fact that this DOES NOT work on my 2000 XJ 4.0 (It immediately fires and goes to redline) , but on my parents 2008 3.8, I hold the gas pedal to the floor for a few seconds while cranking. It keeps it from starting, circulates the oil and stops the rattle. Seems the mopar filter lets all the oil drain back into the pan.

 

[strongt]

Have you tried the Mopar M-090 oil filter. You can get them at wal-mart. They are just a Puro Classic but it does have the OEM speced thread end bypass.

 

[Donald]

Mobil 1?

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
I use the FL-1A ... I'm not sure about the WJs and their filter adapter, but from what I was reading, the FL-400 has a different thread on it. The FL-1A works great on my Jeep, no startup rattle.

The FL-1A and FL-400s threads are the same, just the FL-1A is much larger filter.

 

[expat]

I think all filters will drain back to some degree given time, a smaller filter suitable for your application, will fill quicker at start up and likely reduce Rattle time.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Do you thinks its hydraulic lifter noise or piston noise?

 

[jeepman3071]

I have had similar issues, but I found the Purolator Classic to have the least rattle. With other filters as soon as I start the jeep the oil light comes on for a fraction of a second, then the oil pressure comes right up. It is the same for every filter, every start, no matter what temperature. With the Purolator classic, the light never goes on, the pressure just instantly comes up. Not sure why, but it seems to be the only filter to do that on mine.

Here is a list from least rattle to most rattle in my 4.0:
-Purolator Classic L14670
-Mopar MO-090
-Motorcraft FL1A
-NAPA Gold/Wix 51085
-Mobil 1 M1-204
-Purolator PureOne PL14670


After I'm done with my stash of Wix (2 left) I will go back to using a Purolator Classic or Mopar MO-090. I do believe the Silicone ADBV is superior in theory, but at least with my jeep it hasn't made a difference.

 

[Kuato]

KCJeep, we also have an '04 GC with the 4.0. Ours occasionally has a rattle at startup. Two things I did to reduce/eliminate the problem:

1) Park with the front of the vehicle higher than the rear whenever possible. For whatever reason, parking nose low makes the rattle much worse on startup. Even a slight grade can make a difference.

I've noticed this phenomena regardless of the filter I'm using, so IMO it's not a filter issue.

2) Switching to a 0w30 also helped. Getting the oil moving more quickly reduces the time, if any, of the noise. I've been using mostly 0w30 for two years now.

 

[KCJeep]

Thanks for all the input, please keep it coming.

Originally Posted By: strongt
Have you tried the Mopar M-090 oil filter. You can get them at wal-mart. They are just a Puro Classic but it does have the OEM speced thread end bypass.


I have one on hand but haven't actually used one yet, but since it is nothing but a shorter FL-1A I didn't figure it'd make much difference. I guess it would fill faster, as expat suggested, and the FL-1A has done better against the rattle than most others I've tried.

 

[MarkStock]

On this website you can find the filter brands that have the least restriction, but you've already tried some of them eg Puro Classic, Motorcraft.

http://filtrationcomparisons.weebly.com/conclusions.html

As mentioned, I would go to the thinnest 0W you can find.

You might then find you can use any filter.

Another thought is that I have read recent talk that changing your oil too often can strip away protection that has built up (detergents in fresh oil strip away the protective layer). How often do you change oil? Does this happen more when oil is fresh?

 

[KCJeep]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Do you thinks its hydraulic lifter noise or piston noise?


I think it's definitely lifters, a horrible clatter like someone playing steel castanets for a few seconds.

 

[LeakySeals]

Skip the xtended guard, get the wally world ultra. Mine used to tick on a classic, its gone!

 

[KCJeep]

jeepman3071 and Kuato, thanks for the suggestions. I've not had very good luck with the Puro Classic, one of the worst for me, but I see you also have the Mopar listed high. Maybe I'll give mine a shot.

Kuato, ironically mine clatters worse when it's nose up. Strange indeed.

 

[JamesBond]

I was hearing start-up rattle on a 97 Escort 2.0 with a Purolator Classic L20195. (which is cross referenced to the Motorcraft FL400S) When I removed the filter, very little oil spilled out and the filter was empty once I got it off. I replaced the filter with another Purolator L20195 and the start-up rattle was gone.

I've never had a problem with a Purolator Classic before and obviously trusted them enough to put another one on, but it seems no filter brand is perfect.

Side Note: I think that I've read on here that the Napa Gold is the same as a Wix filter?? I used a Wix filter on a Honda once, and when I went to change it out months later hardly any oil came out when I unscrewed it. This was not typical of the PureOne filters that this car usually gets. That was my first and last experience with Wix filters.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: KCJeep


Any experiences with a particular filter that has done a good job of eliminatiing rattle?

For reference, filters I've already tried that will all produce intermittent rattle include: Puro Classic, PureOne, Motorcraft FL-1A, Fram Extended Guard XG8A, STP S8A, Baldwin B2 and the Wix Napa Gold I refuse to use.


Sounds like that particular engine must be pretty sensitive to the oiling system on initial start-ups if you've experienced intermittent rattle with all of those filters.

Best you could do is conduct the "ADBV blow test" and find a filter that is sealing 100% to rule the filter draining out while parked.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Skip the xtended guard, get the wally world ultra. Mine used to tick on a classic, its gone!


The Xtended Guard became the Ultra ... both are "XG" series filters.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: KCJeep
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Do you thinks its hydraulic lifter noise or piston noise?


I think it's definitely lifters, a horrible clatter like someone playing steel castanets for a few seconds.


No filter is going to fix lifters that leak down. You said this engine was abused some by the previous owner. Maybe the lifters are tired or junked up some [?].

 

[bullwinkle]

The Pure One PL30001 CURED it on my '98 XJ 4.0, with 209K, along with running half NG ML 10W30 & half Rotella T 15W40 (low hot oil pressure).

 

[KCJeep]

I agree I think it's my particular Jeep that is sensitive to this, as I've had others that didn't do this at all.

I do blow test my filters and haven't put anything on that didn't seem to be sealing properly, yet I still get the intermittent rattle as soon as the temps dip.

Currently running Castrol HM 5w30 with a few ounces of MMO in it. I'm a couple hundred miles from an OCI and will be putting a Castrol HM 5w20/5w30 blend in it to thin it for the cold months. I know Castrol HM is thick stuff (why I like it and why I will blend it thinner) but I had the exact same problem last winter with PYB 5w30, so I'm not inclined to think it's actually the oil as much as the filter or some scenario with the Jeep itself that is causing this.

Since I've had the same problem with so many good filters I'm leaning towards something with this particular Jeep, but I still wouldn't mind finding a magic bullet filter to fix it.