CynicX

I just got back from towing about 3000 lbs 1000 miles.....It towed alright I guess but now the engine is louder. Not like exhaust leak or anything it just sounds like the engine in general is louder. I guess it could be the valvetrain but it would have to be the entire thing because its not tapping or anything. Its really weird, just picture your 3.4's engine noise times 2 maybe 3.

I'm running 5w-30 mobil 1 and the level is good.

Running it down the highway it was probably running a little on the rich side I guess since I'd have to keep the pedal pretty far down to keep up with traffic....

Any ideas? Its still well under warrenty but its not like banging loud so if I took it to the dealer they would just tell me its normal.

Also. I have a TRD cat-back. Think that would effect my warrenty?

CynicX

no ideas?...I thought it was just in my head but my dad mentioned it before i said anything to him...

Silver_Truck

I don't know what it could be other then maybe an exhaust leak, or maybe on of the grommets in the firewall came out. The cat back doesn't have any effect on your warranty, if they tell you it does go to a diff dealer.

JL8Jeff

I'd do an oil change and go with something a little heavier for the summer months. Sometimes I can tell when my vehicle needs an oil change because it will start to sound louder as the oil breaks down. I think the oil actually has some sound insulation quality to it. I could always tell on my old supercharged 93 Z28. But you could have burned off some deposits on the valves or pistons by working the engine harder.

Rick F.

That's the first thing that went though my mind when I read your post. I had a Camry in which I had changed to a lighter weight oil (it was a brutally cold winter) still in the engine when the weather starting getting hot. The engine seemed noisey and even began knocking which made me remember I needed to go back to the heavier oil. Good luck.

CynicX

hey thanks guys....i guess i'll through in some 10w-30...I never had a problem with 5w-30 dino in the summer...and the manual recommends 5w-30. But I cant see how 10w-30 in the summer will hurt...

JL8Jeff

I used to run 15W50 Mobil1 in my old 93 Z28. But that was mainly because of the supercharger. I wanted a heavier oil to help prevent any chance of oil blowby. It worked fine. I put 42K miles on the car with the supercharger and never had a problem. And that was a 350 engine with 10:1 compression! But I could tell from the engine noise when it was ready for an oil change. Sniff, sniff, I miss that car. 425 hp and it would get 26-68 mpg on the highway!

CynicX

well this is weird and I definately thought it was in my head but once again when I pulled up to my father on a job site he said "Sounds like you changed that oil to 10w-30"....

I havent changed the oil yet though. What I did is go back to 87 octane gas. I was running 89 octane while towing because I was really pushing it and I didnt want any ping or knock. I ran about 5 tanks of 89. Well yesterday I put 87 back in when by the end of the day my motor sounded quiet....well as quiet as my 3.4 has ever been.

At first I was thinking maybe I blew it out since I was giving it so much throttle on the highway towing and low RPMS. Then I thought it was in my head and I was getting used to the sound. After listening to the engine again with a stethiscope (sp?) it definately sounds more quiet. The only thing I've done is goto 87 octane from 89.

What do you guys think?

FilthyRich

is your rig supercharged???

rimpainter.com

Just run what the manual says to run, which is 5-30.