I have a 2009 Elantra with 55k miles that has been making top end noise for years. It has always seemed to be a clattery engine. I noticed in the manual that inspecting the valve adjustment was recommended at 60k so I thought I would bring it to a shop to have it checked out. They kept it overnight and gave it a listen and determined that one sound that I was hearing was probably a wrist pin, but they noted that the oil was a bit low and they added 3/4 quart (it has a 4 1/4 sump) and once done the other clattery sounds went away. I can't verify that it was low on oil (if I knew it needed oil I would have filled it of course) but it does seem quieter now. (Aside from the slight knocking sound.) There was only several hundred miles on the oil change and I really doubt it was down that much. Anyway, the dipstick reads "1 qt" between the full dot and the low dot and it is at or above the full dot now.
Aside from the fact that it does seem a bit quieter now, is there any validity to the claim that a somewhat less than full oil pan can cause the valvetrain to clatter? This seems comical to me. How would the top of the engine know how much oil remained in the pan so long as there was volume there to be pumped? Again, it was only slightly lower than full.
Also, is there anything I can do with oil choices for a loose sounding wrist pin? The manual says 5w20 or 5w30 for my temps. Would trying a 5w40 be any value to longevity if there is play in some components like rods?
Aside from the fact that it does seem a bit quieter now, is there any validity to the claim that a somewhat less than full oil pan can cause the valvetrain to clatter? This seems comical to me. How would the top of the engine know how much oil remained in the pan so long as there was volume there to be pumped? Again, it was only slightly lower than full.
Also, is there anything I can do with oil choices for a loose sounding wrist pin? The manual says 5w20 or 5w30 for my temps. Would trying a 5w40 be any value to longevity if there is play in some components like rods?