Horrible noise from engine

[no1joe]

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

[booke23]

What engine is it?

[mogwye]

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

Petrol or Diesel ?

What oil have you been using prior to ?

DB

[Avalon]

He has a 1.4 16v from a previous thread

[no1joe]

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

[no1joe]

... and it's petrol :L

[jamwatn]

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?

[Southy]

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

[no1joe]

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

[Highway_61]

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.

[no1joe]

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

[wilsy7]

Video?

[no1joe]

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

[Dunkuk]

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, 2013 by Dunkuk

[no1joe]

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....

[sepulchrave]

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, 2013 by sepulchrave

[no1joe]

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

[no1joe]

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

[mogwye]

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.

[no1joe]

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

[LB123]

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