Noisey Engine on Start up

MattP

Hi,

I'm getting a problem where my engine sounds really rattley when I start it up in the morning, or any time after a lengthy period switched off (4-5 hrs).

The rattle tends to go after a minute and I was assuming this was down to oil getting round the system (My oil was low the other week, about half way down the stick).

However this morning the rattle lasted for ages and sounded like a diesel engine and now I've got lumpy tickover.

I've read the following post:
https://z22se.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=4757

and so not sure if I have a major engine problem or the coil pack failed.

The idle seems to bounce between 500 and 700 rpm but sitting in it at the traffic lights, it feels relaly rough.

The car is fine and smooth when accelerating or driving at a steady speed, just tick over is the problem.

Any suggestions ?

Thanks

MattP

Matt P

dodger

your idle problem could be down to a faulty EGR valve.

vocky

you should get the cam chain inspected asap, if it snaps it will cost £1500 to fix :cry:

the lumpy tickover could be the chain has jumped a tooth :shock:

get it towed to a garage 🙁

MattP

blimey didn't think it was that bad.... the acceleration is fine, the steady driving is as smooth as ever as well, just the tick over..

Must admit though I haven't had my chain replaced yet, trying to find someone local to do it.

Cheers

MattP

vocky

better to be safe than sorry, it's happened too many times 🙁

MattP

ok so update after checkign everything this morning:

Start up first thing, sounds like a damn tank again, very rattely on start up and stays like that for a minute or so, turned her off and back on again and everything fine.

ALso if I have run the car and she has been standing 10 minutes or so then she starts back up with no rattles.
If left for a couple of hours then it rattles on start up again.

Does this sound like and oil feed problem ? maybe the top end isn't receiving enough oil to begin with or one of the oil ways is blocked ?

Tick over still rough, though idle is not floating between 500 and 800 rpm, tends to sit at 800 rpm and a very slight movement on the rev counter needle and the engine feeling very rough, again once it is over 1000rpm it is as smooth as normal and accelerates fine.

Does it sound like I have two seperate problems here ?

MattP

(by the way I will call my local Vauxhall garage first thing tomorrow morning anyway)

vocky

it does appear to be two seperate problems

I always advise to get the chain inspected asap, due to the potential cost of repair 🙁

I would say it's an oil starvation problem, strong possibility the cam chain oil jet is blocked or a follower not pumping up dunno..

an oil change might help dunno..

The other might be the chain has jumped a single tooth or the coil pack / spark plugs require attention notsure.gif

either way get it looked at asap 🙁

MattP

one last question Vocky:

WHen I topped up the oil the other day I used 0W/30 oil, the user manula states this is suitable as are several otehr grades (0W/40, 5W/40 & 10W/40)

Would this have had any impact on the rattley start ?

Car is going to go into the local Vauxhall garage and I wil get and oil change done anyway

MattP

Europa_Blue_SE1

Don't know about the noisy start up but from when I changed from Semi to Fully Synth 10-40w Fully Synth Shell Helix I noticed more noise from my tappets if I'm right which I hope I am it's due to the oil being thinner notsure.gif
But don't think your oil should cause the noisy start up... dunno..

MattP

Took the car in at 08:00 this morning, phoned up at 5pm, it's still being looked, running diagnostics to identify the problem 🙁

Oh well further update tomorrow

MattP

Ok so apparently the timing chain had stretched and jumped a couple of teeth (good disgnosis Vocky).

Anyhow new chain fitted (hopefully with a new oil feed nozzle) and engine timed up..running smoothly now.

They also think the rattle was caused by the stretched chain but I guess tomorrow morning will reveal if thats been resolved.

Cars driving fine now though 😃

MattP

vocky

the chain kit comes with the new oil jet 😃

I'm glad you caught it in time 😃

sometimes I worry that I've given the wrong advice, but I'm just trying to help where I can, when I find out that it's saved someone a lot of hassle it makes it all worth while 🙂

MattP

Never worry Vocky any advice is invaluable and you and the members of this forum have been a great help when ever I ask a question.

I just hope the rattle is cured as well, else that is probably going to be a head problem but I won't know until tomorrow morning.

Oh well a nice long drive down to Devon for my holiday and then when I'm back I'll get the rear bushes done as well (it's never ending but I love the car)

MattP

Just had engine management light come on whilst driving home, car was running fine though, no change in perfromance.

Checked for anything loose under the bonnet, in the way of wires etc.. couldn't see anything.

Had to go out and vote so took the car up the road, light was still on but when driving back light went out...really weird.

I suppose it's worth getting VX to check it int he morning and see what the error code was ?

MattP