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

[Gigagator]

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'.

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.

[MacRob]

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

[T-Cut]

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

[COLVERT]

It really does sound like an empty tappet slowly filling up with oil. All other things which can make a noise through lack of oil normally become quiet immediately the oil reaches them.. Only a tappet has this slowly disappearing noise as it fills itself up.----

[Number 6]

Originally Posted by COLVERT

It really does sound like an empty tappet slowly filling up with oil. All other things which can make a noise through lack of oil normally become quiet immediately the oil reaches them.. Only a tappet has this slowly disappearing noise as it fills itself up.----

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

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Number 6

You could try an engine Flush and refill again with fresh oil.

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

[Gigagator]

Originally Posted by MacRob

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

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.

Originally Posted by T-Cut

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?

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.