Tapping sound when engine is cold.

vanessa0305 · 11-01-2006, 11:15 AM

When I first start my car in the morning I hear a tapping from the engine at the front either somewhere in the front of the engine or where all the belts are. Does anyone know what it could be. Once the car is warm it stops and I don't hear it again for the rest of the day. I wondered if once the oil pressure gets up thats why it stops but have no idea.

Thanks guys
Vanessa

EFFalcon · 11-01-2006, 11:18 AM

how long does it last?
few seconds or minutes?

11-01-2006, 11:43 AM

Hows the condition of your oil and oil filter?

11-01-2006, 01:44 PM

might be low on oil or a dud lifter like my car has

ilsautomotive · 11-01-2006, 01:50 PM

It's pretty normal to tick for a few seconds, but the right oil will reduce it.

vanessa0305 · 11-01-2006, 02:41 PM

Ok it goes for about 1 minute and I just had the oil and filter changed. The oil used was castrol GTX2.

vanessa0305 · 11-01-2006, 02:49 PM

ok checked the oil level and if anything its a touch high. This sound is brand new and has only been happening the last few days....infact it may have started after the oil was changed. But the oil was so black it had to be done.

naughtyfalcon · 11-01-2006, 03:02 PM

hmm sounds like the after oil change rattle,,when we bought the ea it had no leaks anywhere,,did the first oil change and wammy,,oil started leaking from the front somewhere,,i think some people and dealers fill the things with so much additive ИИИИ that when you do a normal change it cleans it all out and thats when you start getting rattles and leaks,,,i think there is some stuff for noisy lifters that goes in the oil,,try it and see what happens..

BABOSS · 11-01-2006, 05:08 PM

If all else fails and it's not to do with the oil i would take off the rocker cover and inspect the lifters for wear and replace as necessary. The only problem is you have to loosen the bolts that hold down the rocker assembly and cam to be able to lift up the rocker arms and inspect them closely, that's if you can be stuffed doing this yourself or get someone to do it for you. Lifters cost around $25ea and are tiny in size, makes you wonder what you spent so much money for; and are a piece of pi$$ to replace if you have some mechanical knowledge.

willo1 · 11-01-2006, 05:43 PM

you could have a sticky lifter!

11-01-2006, 07:08 PM

sticking PCV valve?Just a thought.

AshMan · 11-01-2006, 08:46 PM

My catalytic converter was blocked up and when I replaced it my cold lifter noise went away.

henz79 · 11-01-2006, 11:03 PM

Whats a Catalytic converter?

BABOSS · 12-01-2006, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henz79

Whats a Catalytic converter?

A catalytic converter 'cat' treats your car's exhaust before it leaves the car and removes a lot of the pollution.

4.9 EF Futura · 12-01-2006, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlasherEF

A catalytic converter 'cat' treats your car's exhaust before it leaves the car and removes a lot of the pollution.

^ what he said. Basically a muffler with specific catalysts within it... react with certain elements in the exhaust as to change their state (ideally to something less noxious).

Vanessa, without getting into what is the best/worst oil - GTX2 in my opinion not the greatest - but if its only ticking for a minute on startup its really nothing to be worried about. Take action if the noise gets worse. Maybe have a look around the site here, see what oils (brands and viscocity) are recommended and maybe go for one of them next 5000km change. Penrite very popular.

vanessa0305 · 13-01-2006, 12:19 PM

Ok I put in a additive for the oil to quieten the lifters and thats done the trick.

EF Futura..I don't know alot about cars, I wish I had asked about the oil before I used it but oh well I will do the next change early at around 3000kms because it was so black last time and I am sure there is some residue of the old oil still in there. I used a valvoline filter is there a better one I could use? I think the common belief is that penrite is probably best for me so I will use it on my next change.

4.9 EF Futura · 13-01-2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanessa0305

Ok I put in a additive for the oil to quieten the lifters and thats done the trick.

EF Futura..I don't know alot about cars, I wish I had asked about the oil before I used it but oh well I will do the next change early at around 3000kms because it was so black last time and I am sure there is some residue of the old oil still in there. I used a valvoline filter is there a better one I could use? I think the common belief is that penrite is probably best for me so I will use it on my next change.

I'll probably get crucified for saying this but dont worry too much about oil filters. Im sure the valvoline filter is fine - there probably are much more expensive items on the market but if you change your oil and filter regulalry i dont see the point in spending more than 10 bucks. For what it's worth, i just run the filter stocked by Repco and its always done me proud.

AshMan · 13-01-2006, 10:51 PM

I use K&N oil filter and penrite oil.

Best $50 I ever spent.

Got the oil pressure up (was kinda low) and even improved the compression between oil changes.

I log the compression each time I do a change.

So yeah.

Cheers