Update: See post #8, the noise happened again and was definitely from a leaky ADBV !!!

If you're 3.8L has a couple seconds of occasional lifter noise on cold startup - Try using the slightly larger filter from a 2007 Jeep Commander w/ 3.7L engine (Wix 51516, NAPA 1516, NAPA 41516 Amsoil EOA-34, Mobil M1-209, etc.)

This filter is about 5/8" longer, and there's plenty of room. Same specs and features as the normal filter, just more filter media surface area. It should hold more crud, and also filter better due to lower velocity and less pressure drop.

The larger filter is what I normally use, but I used a normal size filter that was on hand during the last oil change and it started getting an occasional lifter tick for a couple seconds on cold startup. Replaced with my usual larger filter, and it went away completely.

If you try this, please post your results here and lets see how often (or not) this improves cold startup lifter noise.

I suspect the slightly larger filter with less resistance to flow gets oil to the lifters just a little bit quicker on cold startup. Doubting the anti-drainback valve is the issue because they simply are not leak tight valves and will eventually drain oil down the filter inlet until there's an air bubble in the outlet (which doesn't fully drain the filter, the filter inlet on the housing is high at the top of the horizontal filter's attachment to the engine).

 

So which filter did you end up using? I used k&n for the longest time and recently went back to a Mopar filter due to cost and less start up noise.

For comparison sake, I run 5w-30 with 1qt stabilizer from new to my current mileage of 120k.

I've also heard, yet haven't tried, that a crown Vic filter interchanges and gives us extra capacity.


I'm curious to hear what other experiences people have here.

 

I'm using the Amsoil EAO-34. I prefer the synthetic filter media, Wix makes a similar filter with a XP suffix (51516XP).

Don't know if it's used in any Crown Vic's, but it also fits Ford F150 and F250 trucks with the 4.2L engine -- A very common filter.

Edit: Wondering if the Mopar filter is not as restrictive a filter media as the K&N ?

 

I can shed some light onto this....

Alright, first up: expensive filters like k&n, mobil1, and royalpurple flow fast, very fast, which in turn can't capture the small contaminants but last longer because of that.

The cheap filters: microguard, purolator, mopar, Fram are not fast flowing filters. They can capture the smaller contaminants more easily but they don't last as long.

Most have an antidrainback valve which as you know is used for start ups to help with dry starts.

Occasionally Engines that the oil flows too fast will develop a tick...the 4.0 was notorious for a tick when it got to higher mileage status and using a "high performance" filter on it.

I've built engines, many engines. I stick to the motto of use good quality products but change them when the time comes. Not the "its synthetic I can go 10k miles and not worry about it!" That is true for some oils, but the filters are not designed to go that long. Even Amsoil recommends you to change your filter on their 25k mile oil change half way through.

If anyone is any questions about anything I have said feel free to ask me and I will answer to the best of my ability.

 

Mopar filters are MORE restrictive than a K&N

 

Now for my input. Been there done that 6years ago.
I have been running the larger 3.7l filter which is also the filter for the 2007 Liberty 3.7l since 2008. Mostly the NAPA Platinum 41516 ..
I have tried the regular WIX filter, the MOPAR filter, the Ford Motocraft filter, and the Mobile 1 synthetic Filter all with no different results. Tick still there.
I can tell you from experience there is absolutely no difference between them. They all had start up tic. What did finally make a difference for me was switching to Amsoil XL5W30 ... Now the only time I get a start up tic is below 0 temps if I don't plug in. I can now leave the Jeep sit for weeks at a time and get a quiet start up. At 211,000klm my 3.8L is a happy camper.

I ran Mobile 1 5W30 and it ticked when it was warm outside no matter what filter I used .. Switch to Castrol GTX no dice. I'm sticking with Amsoil and whatever quality filter is available.

 

Just had this happen. Had Mobil one filter( first time using it) 3.8 started to tick then the dreaded oil light on start up happened. I quickly decided the Mobil one filter was out the door and went back to using the wix filter. Tick went away and no more start up oil light.

 

Did an oil/filter change about 3 weeks ago and the cold startup noise came back afterward, and this was with an oversize filter (an amsoil EA034 which had previously worked fine). After a few noisy cold starts I replaced the filter with a NAPA 41516 (NAPA Platinum, oversize, same as 2008 Jeep Liberty 3.7L filter) -- No more startup noise, so I'll buy a couple more NAPA Platinum 41516 filters while they're on sale.

It looks to me like there's a significant percentage of oil filter anti drain back valves (ADBV) that leak through badly, even the higher end filters with silicone valves. Some may be defective right from the start, and others start leaking after use. I also think the 3.8L is one of many engines that are a bit noisier than average on cold startup if the ADBV leaks by.

 

I recently started using a much larger Fram filter. Combined with 5w-30 non synthetic oil, my massive oil consumption is barely anything now. I believe it is quieter on startup as well. Definitely smoother.

 

What's the number on that Fram? XG3600 ?