New Grand Prix Owner: Need help.

[Junebugg]

Quick brief about me, fellow grand prix owners.

My name is Timmy, I am a student in the Automotive Technology class, each and everyday I learn something knew, I am still a very inexperience tech but I do try my hardest. I am currently looking for a job so until then I am dependent on my mother. My mother bought me a used 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix SE V6 3.1L engine. I have a concern but the reason I haven't asked my instructor for advice is because he wants us to learn how to look up information and do research to find what we need to know. I have done some reasearch on my own but I'm still doing more and I would like you all or some to help. Your assistance is very appreciated and many thanks.

On July 31, 2012 at school I had changed my oil at 112,086 miles. I only had enough money from what my mother gave me to buy the Gastrol GTX High Mileage Oil with the Purolator PureOne oil filter special that Advance Auto Parts had. The oil is 5W-30 and before I changed it the engine was silent. After I changed it I started to hear a noice coming from inside the engine. The specs are 4.5 qts of oil and I put that, I looked on AllData to check out what cause these symptoms. The symptoms that I am hearing is like a rattle/tapping/knocking when engine cranks up cold. First it asks if the oil filter has an anti-drainback feature and it does. Next it ask if it has the correct oil viscosity, it does. Then it ask if the crankshaft thrust bearing is worn, this I do not know how to check. Finally, it says "High valve lifter leak down rate", not sure how to check that. Those last two I am currently looking up how to check those but if a heavier weighted oil was used how can you tell which one? Will using a heavier oil make the noise stop? Will problems occur is noise persist? Should I change the oil brand and put a different brand? Should I use oil additives such as Mystery Marvel oil?

Please again any help would be nice, any questions for me feel free to ask, again I am still doing my part to find out more.

[Tuner-Extraordinaire]

TIMMAYYYYY.

Video of noise would be helpful.

[Junebugg]

My phone is broke I already ordered one last week, currently waiting for it to arrive sometime this week, sorry.

[joelee669]

im pretty sure u should be using 10w 30,

[winterstorm]

im pretty sure u should be using 10w 30,

nope 3.1L is 5W-30

[winterstorm]

My phone is broke I already ordered one last week, currently waiting for it to arrive sometime this week, sorry.

use a friends phone and email it to urself

[Junebugg]

im pretty sure u should be using 10w 30,

My engine oil cap, AllData, and my owners manual say, 5W-30. I triple checked before I bought the oil.

[Junebugg]

use a friends phone and email it to urself

Ok give me some time.

[Junebugg]

Give me 5 mins to upload video

[Junebugg]

If I need to remake video please let me know. I was using my friend HTC Sprint phone.

[Junebugg]

use a friends phone and email it to urself

video is up

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

So does this sound go away with RPMS or when the motor heats up?

[97gtpjoe]

If its a cold start the lifters need time to fill up with oil. If the problem persists like it did with my old compg then time to replace the lifters or try using 10w30 .

[matt5112]

How would an oil that takes even longer to reach the lifters help lifter noise?

[Tuner-Extraordinaire]

If I need to remake video please let me know. I was using my friend HTC Sprint phone.

3100 is what's wrong with it.

[BillBoost37]

Honestly Tim, 3100's are typically a noisy startup kinda motor. The previous oil change may have been 10-30. Check the owners manual in the glove box, likely it allows you to use either 5w or 10W. If so.. use 10W from here out and likely you won't have as much noise.

[Junebugg]

Thank you all for your help, I will take you advice and put it to good use. I just got back on after going through a run around to get a new phone -_- but I was able to get one :-)
Now I know for sure the owners manual said 5W-30, if it says 10W-30 is compatible then I will use it. AllData did say replace lifters if oil and filter type are correct so I will check that after the oil change. As for operating temperature... It never reach 210 degrees on the thermostat gauge unless the car hasn't been moving for awhile, example - motor running but the car is sitting in the drive way, other than that it stays above 160 but below 200 degrees. Is this normal? If not I will do more research. When it reaches around 200 degrees I will observe the noise and see if it does quite down. I have also noticed that my fans are riged, If you guys want I can upload a video showing that as well. Tomorrow, friday, is shop day at school so I will have this done and notify you all with the update.

[Junebugg]

So does this sound go away with RPMS or when the motor heats up?

I know for sure with the RPMS as for motor heating up I will notify you after 2pm Eastern Time.