Tapping at higher revs, lots of excess oil...

craig22sri

Not looking fantastic to me right now...

First noticed it this morning as I got on the motorway with the window down, as revs got higher (above 3000 ish) a clear tapping came from the engine bay, as i was only going one junction I carried on, got to the office, let it all cool down and had a looksie, there was a lot of excess oil down the right hand side of the engine, also the dip stick did not measure ANY oil... A colleague drove me to Halfords, I picked up some oil stuck 2 litres in, had a little run, still tapping...

Any suggestions? I have already got it booked in with my mechanic tomorrow AM for him to have a quick nosy...

What a great birthday I'm having! 🙁

blue_se2

Happy birthday mate
do you check you oil regularly could this have been lost over a period of time or has the oil loss ocured at the same time as the noise?

craig22sri

Thanks!

It had a full service 3 months ago when I bought it, I must admit, I probably haven't looked at the oil for about a month... So couldn't say if it has been gradual or all at once... :?

blue_se2

Not a great deal on the right side of the engine to leak? maybe tapping because of lack of oil Tappets cam etc. Its not coming from the chain is it?

craig22sri

Very hard to tell if I'm honest, the tapping is only really noticable when driving...

Sorry I can't give much detail... I'm not that mechanically mind when it comes to engines!!

vocky

the other weak point of the z22se is low oil level, this can cause the big ends to go 🙁

lets hope it's not serious cheers..

craig22sri

I have put 2 litres of oil in at dinner, do you think it is advisable to drive 11 miles home (on 30 mph roads home)? Or call out the recovery peeps to tow me back?

I'm obviously concerned about running the engine if it is going to cause potential serious damage... What do you guys reckon?

vocky

what does the engine sound like now notsure.gif

craig22sri

Pretty much the same, seems relatively happy at low revs (tho now I am probably being ultra judgemental), but if I push it too far the tapping comes back... I will see if I can get some pics from under the bonnet at where I suspect the leaks are coming from.

vocky

I would take it steady going home, if the noise gets worse then get it towed the rest of the way :roll:

if you are very concerned get it towed straight to the garage.

craig22sri

Here is the damage...

vocky

that's not freshly leaked oil, looks like overspill from an oil change dunno..

craig22sri

Hmmm... is that good or bad?

Could it have been that the engine was just starved of oil? Should I run the engine for 5 mins before driving home to make sure it is fully circulated through the system?

baldie87

have you noticed any oil on the floor when youve moved the car

craig22sri

Nope, none... I expect it would be something I would notice aswell! I can see where I have marked the tarmac with tyre spray... No oil stains tho!!

vocky

drive it home and get it checked in the morning cheers..

Hareng

Ok you put 2 ltrs in but whats the dipstick level like.
Mine is noisy when below min level and also noisy tappet(s) when up to the oil level when cold, thats why i went 0W.
Also is the oil dirty or black, there are some unscrupulous garages but this may be pushing it too far.

Should hear the tapping with bonnet up, might it be a rattle from the other side to piccy, drivers side top of engine? If so dont drive it have it towed in.

Before you take it in have a look down the other side of engine to piccy, right down by the inner wing, front crank seals have a habit of going.

Lets just hope its low oil level.

craig22sri

Ok, just got back from the garage, 2nd time round, I've been given a few options...

1 - Expensive, strip the engine down, possible camshaft or piston issue - not entirely sure where the problem lies, nothing my mechanic has ever seen before, he is very experienced and is baffled by pin pointing this...

2 - Expensive (I presume), replace the engine.

:cry:

craig22sri

Booked in with vx tomorrow AM for an inspection... Will keep you posted!

blue_se2

Sorry mate hope all goes well and cheap!