Oil change prices

Originally Posted by Kzonts

Off topic again... Sorry. I found this in another forum and sounds like it helps explain more about the ester oil recommendations... I nneded to better understand this myself since I use Mobil-1 EP. But my engine runs and sounds fine to me...

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I use Redline, but I think the Redline and Motul are both good oils overall. As stated, the Nissan Ester oil is just a regular oil with Ester and other additives. However, it is not necessarily the Ester additive that quiets the ticking sound in the VQ37VHR (more specifically the VVEL).

The ticking sound is caused by a part of the VVEL system (a reciprocating shoe) that only rocks back and forth across the cam followers to provide lubrication. This limits the amount of oil/lubricants supplied to the assembly. A traditional cam lobe rotates all the way around, and receives full lubrication on each rotation. So, what you are really hearing is caused by a lack of oil/lubrication between the shoe and cam follower in the VVEL assembly (they are slapping together).

Nissan was fully aware of this potential issue, and combated it in 2 ways:

1) Added a really "slick" hydrogen-free DLC (diamond-like coating) on the surface of the VVEL reciprocating parts since they knew lubrication would be an issue. This basically builds in some form of protection into the surface of the parts (which also makes it more difficult for traditional lubricants to adhere to).

2) Added an additive package to their own oil that promotes better adhesion to the surface of the DLC coating used in the VVEL assembly (Ester), but it also contains small nano-particles for better lubrication on those surfaces (think, really small ball bearings). Ester is a form of a hydroxyl compound. Hydroxyl compounds are polar hydrocarbons, and are attracted to the hydrogen-free DLC used on the VVEL parts (as they say, opposites attract).

It is really these small nano-particles and their attraction to the DLC coating that quite the engine down, and you will not get all this in Redline or Motul; even with the Ester additives. The Ester will only give you the attraction to the hydrogen-free DLC, but not the additional lubrication provided by the nano-particles.

So, what am I saying? If you are really concerned about the ticking noise from the VVEL system, use Nissan's Ester oil. While the oil is not as good as, say, Redline, Motul, or PU, it will quite the ticking sound. If you don't care about the ticking sound, use a good oil like Redline, Motul, or PU....