Hi guys, I don't know if anyone can help, but I've got a horrible noise from my engine which gets worse when accelerating.

The only way I can describe the noise is like a tapping... I've noticed it since I got the car in December, but it's recently had an oil change and (whether it's just me or not) I think it's got worse. I now use a premium 5w 40 oil if that helps.

Thanks

What engine is it?

I now use a premium 5w 40 oil if that helps

Petrol or Diesel ?

What oil have you been using prior to ?

DB

He has a 1.4 16v from a previous thread

Correct, it's a 1.4 16v ;D I was using 5w30, now using 5w40

... and it's petrol :L

At best..it could be a sticky valves/lifters.. it might cure itself..? Perhaps you could get a nice clear recording and post it on Youtube or Soundcloud for us to hear?

Possible piston slap now the coating is worn/wearing on the piston skirts?

I'll try get a recording today, in the meantime, can I do anything to try and improve it?

I think had exactly the same tapping noise at the beginning of last year. Does it increase linearly with the speed of the car? From what I can remember, mine tapped continually while my foot was on the accelerator.

Mine started a few weeks after I'd hit a kerb at 40. It was due an MOT so I just put it through and told them about it. Got the car back the same day, with them noting that everything was good except a cracked front suspension bush (probably from the collision with the kerb).

The knocking was still there, so I took it to 3 different garages none of them found a thing. Couple of my mates had a look & came to the same conclusion. Then, after about a month of bouncing about and not finding anything wrong my oil light started flashing. Stopped straight away & checked the oil. The level was perfect, so I started the car (schoolboy) drove about 200m and the engine seized. After ripping the engine out, the boy said he thinks the oil pump was fine & there was no blockages anywhere. So no idea what caused it.

Bit of a horror story with no real help for you, but I'd take the tapping seriously. I'm still not convinced that the pump was operating as it should.

Ah really?! Not good consider I'm going on a long journey tomorrow D:

Video?

Sorry for the late reply, as you can hear from the recording, this 1.4 petrol sounds **** :/ you can also hear the tapping sort of noise on acceleration. Can anyone help?

Voice_012_002-1.mp3

At first listen I thought it sounded like a diesel should sound, then I realised yours is a petrol.

My mum had a rover years ago that suffered from piston slap and it sounded like a diesel, I noticed someone else above suggested this too. Isn't it a common fault on these engines? Is yours a high mileage one?

The oil change may have made everything else quieter so the noise seems worse, I don't think changing the oli would have done anything. If a garage did it make sure it's not overfilled or very low.

Here is an example on youtube of piston slap.

Edited 15 April, 201313 yr by Dunkuk

Yeah I see what your saying, I done the service myself and oil level is fine. I've had a listen to the clip and that does unfortunately sound very similar :/ my engine has only done 80,000....

Sounds like the little ends. Did you put a lighter grade of oil in than before?

Edit: Just spotted it, heavier, not lighter.

Edited 15 April, 201313 yr by sepulchrave

As you've seen, I was using 5w30, now 5w40

I apologise to bring the thread back up, but ive been thinking again :L im pretty sure the noise I have is a tappet noise.

Has anyone got any experience with this? And has anyone got any experience with the tappet additive for oil? Thank yaaa

I still have the noise. Now that the weather is getting a little cooler I can hear it for the first 5 minutes of running, I have tried everything but it's still there.

 

DB.

Yeah see, mine doesnt go away :/ even when up to running temperature...

Just a remote chance that your noise is an exhaust leak. Pinhole or manifold gasket up near the engine. Have a feel for a blow of air round the gasket and pipe work.

 

Nigel