What is this loud ticking from my engine on start up? (Sound required)
 

Hi all,

I feel like I am spamming the forums lately but I seem to be needing assistance more than usual!

I have noticed in the last few days when I start my car up after it has been sat for a bit that it sounds terrible with a loud ticking that does eventually go away after a few seconds.

A colleague even commented that it 'doesn't sound too good'. :getmecoat:

After start up this morning when I was headed for work, the check engine light was flashing and it was misfiring quite badly.

I have suspected recently (as some of you will be aware) that my inlet manifold gasket needs replacing as I am also losing coolant, though there is no mayo under the oil cap, in the header tank or on the dipstick.

Here is a video I made of two start ups today and you can hear how bad it sounds:

https://youtu.be/XX0nGLCI9YM

Does this sound more sinister than just being caused by the IMG leaking?

Many thanks in advance.

to me that sounds like the belt has jumped a notch and the timing is out slightly. The 1st start up sounded like a belt tensioner on the way out so it is a good chance it is. Then again as always I could be well wrong

It sounds like drained out/dry tappets to me. If the tapping goes away after a short time running, it tends to support this as being a lack of oil at the tappets. Does everything sound normal once the engine's warmed up and being driven?

What grade of engine oil is in there and is it at the correct level on the dipstick?



TC

Sure hope not! It's always been kept up to date with belt changes and always have the tensioner and pump done at the same time.

Runs well apart from these issues on start up.


What could have caused such a thing to happen suddenly? I only noticed this noise on start up at the start of the week.

Oil is 10w40 semi synth and is just below max on the dipstick.

It had an oil change around September 2020 and a new filter always (genuine MG Rover filter). Also threw some new plugs in at the same time.

Like I said it has run like a dream until start of this week though she has on occasion been a bit hard to start on some cold mornings i.e. taking a few extra seconds finally fire up.

The noise goes away after about 30 seconds or some short period of time like that.

I agree with the "Dry" tappet diagnosis. You could try an engine Flush and refill again with fresh oil.:shrug:

:iagree:

I recommend Comma Flush Out which I've used successfully on my cars from time to time. The engine oil is drained then Flush Out is added to half the sump's capacity. The engine is then run at a fast idle for about ten minutes (full instructions are on the product). It's then drained and you renew the oil filter and refill with engine oil. Yours may need more than one application but it's not expensive and available from a good motor factor.

Just two other things to think about Rhys. Do you do a lot of short journeys where the oil doesn't reach a good healthy temperature? Also, it's beneficial to change your engine oil more frequently than the specified 15,000 miles. I'd suggest half that figure.

Simon :}

Thank you all for the replies.

I will try an engine flush and another oil change as soon as I can.

I have done another video this morning after I arrived at work, parked up in the car park with the engine idling. This was after a 15 minute commute, mostly on a dual carriageway at 60mph.

https://youtu.be/_f_dONv5WTU

If I put my ear down into the engine bay it sounds more like its coming from the inlet manifold area rather than the engine itself. What could this suggest? Could it be related to my suspected leaking intel manifold gasket?

Simon, my usual driving is my 15-20 minute commute to and from work as above. It's mostly at 60-65mph on a dual carriageway. Though yesterday I had a few customer sites to visit so I had a half hour blast on the M4 a few times too.

I always change my oil every 6 months with a new filter, usually at the start of autumn then again at the start of spring.

I did try a 5w40 fully synthetic for about a year after recommendations by Opie Oils but I found it was getting a bit tappetty. Changing back to 10w40 cured that.

That still sounds like hydraulic tappets to me Rhys and rather a serious case after fifteen minutes at cruising speed.

I'd try Flush Out straight away and new 10W40. If there's zero improvement it could point to a tappet which needs replacing.
OK, but if your mileage in that period exceeds say, 6,000 miles, do it sooner! ;)

Simon

Agreed it certainly sounds tappety on that first start up and the misfire can be seen, engine movement and heard.


A leaking manifold gasket won't make that noise, which is definitely mechanical.


Read the code which will possibly be shown as a misfire on cylinder X due to the problem follower, that you say the noise is louder on the inlet manifold side suggests the possibility that the culprit is on the inlet camshaft side, it's a little difficult when listening on videos but at first start up all the followers sound as if they are taking a while to jack up.


If you have access to and are able to do an oil pressure test from cold this will show if the oil pressure is, or isn't OK, bearing in mind that the oil pressure light only comes on when pressure is as low as 5psi to 10psi on average.