The tensioner knocking?

When you say yours "instantly" gained pressure- is that when your filter canister is full of oil? I am assuming that you are using MB filters. Remember, my canister was empty - there was a cheap filter in there.

As mentioned above- there is probably not even anything wrong with the tensioner and it was probably the off-brand filter causing that. Also- this AM (before oil change), I had someone listen when I started it- that noise sounded like it came from the PS pump area.

Well, if I knew for sure that the MB filter had an "anti-drainback" valve, it would make a little more sense. When I first start it of the morning, the pressure goes to "3" within a second and as mentioned before, when I changed the oil the last time, the filter canister did not drain out the oil and it did not make any noise when I restarted then, but that is when it had the old MB filter I removed and replaced with the cheap one that I removed this evening- when that canister was empty. I am anxious to see if that first startup still has that "VVRRR / ZZRRR" noise until pressure reaches "3".

I am just wondering why the canister was empty this time (with the off-brand filter) and before it was full (with the MB filter). Thats why I am thinking it is true that they are indeed anti-drainback filters- because it was holding the oil in.

My car does have 265K and it probably was not as meticulously maintained as yours. The first 200K was put on by the original owner and was well cared for it appears, but the guy I bought it from had put around 64K on it and he did little to it. I do not think he changed the oil more than a few times. He even told me all he did to it over the 5 years he owned it was change the fuel pump.

Duke- that is what I was concerned about. It is really not a problem on the older cars (to disconnect the coil and crank), but as mentioned, I was unsure about the MB, so I did not do it.

As someone above mentioned- "it is a waste of time", some would not agree. I know of a lot of people that do this. It may not help much, but it does lessen the "dry start" a little. Not all engines are "tight and healthy".

Thanks again.