Originally Posted by JKlad

I noticed the OP said he's had the dry-start rattle from new. Although many people say that it's not harmful to the motor & all the noise is just the lifters banging around until they get oil pressure, the fact is that the motor is running at 1500RPM (the speed that the computer idles the motor from cold start) with no oil pressure for 2 or 3 seconds. Although the bearings will have some residual oil film on them at startup, after a few seconds running at 1500 RPM without ony more oil getting to them damage will be done. This damage to the bearing surface may only be slight and microscopic, but after repeated cold starts over time it all builds up, and it seems to be no coincidence that 40K miles seems to be the common mileage that these motors tend to all spin bearings & throw rods (40K miles= about 2 years of average use of mainly short daily to/from work trips with some weekend driving thrown in, and around 1400 dry starts).

While many people who've had bearings let go have also had oil burning motors that have caused the sump to run dry & thus starve the oil pump causing the bearings to run without lubrication, others like the OP have don't have this oil burning issue & have still spun bearings. It's also interesting that everyone who's had an oil analysis done shows reults with very high copper levels that have been attributed to the camshaft bearings, and camshafts are known to be very susceptable to wear at cold startup.

Originally Posted by deltaneo1

Well dry starts are bad like you said maybe a thicker oil will help. I know that BMW uses a 0w-40 for this reason and they don't need oil changes till like 10K or 20K don't remember. I might start running 10w-30 for this reason but with a lift time warranty I think I will be fine!

Originally Posted by pirate

I've been running 5w30 synthetic for every oil change. I like that grade thin enough for winter but good for the summer as well. So I don't think its related to oil. On a side note how many eng have been replaced on synthetic oil and conventional oil? Maybe I'll make a new poll.

Originally Posted by lopezv123

I know everyone had been looking at oil type and grade as a potential cause of the engine problems all of these JKs have but has anyone considered the possibility that it's a fuel problem? I've heard of ethanol tearing engine components up (especially the older designs). The oil consumption problems are merely a symptom leading to engine failure but the root cause is ethanol. This had been a huge issue for 4stroke marine engines as well. Maybe worth polling people with engine problems about what type odlf fuel they use? Just a thought.

Originally Posted by deltaneo1

Always run super 93 Octane fuel! I don't know anyone running that E-10 or ethanol and would never run it on any car that isn't a flex fuel car!

Originally Posted by drumnatural

Running 93 is excessive IMO unless u have a tuner that requires it. I do run 89 though just to help avoid pre-detonation.