Tappet noise on cold starting? - MG-Rover.org Forums

Storm · 15-02-2011, 21:16

I've just taken Margarets TF for petrol, it's been sitting since Monday so is cold.

When I started it there was a fairly loud tappety noise coming, I think, from the top of the engine. It sounded like it could be a sticky valve tapping of the camshaft. After a minute ot two it dissapeared once the engine warmed up.

Has anyone had any similar experiences? It's a TF 115 by the way with 39K on the clock and is due a service.

Cheers,

Bill

Birks · 15-02-2011, 21:31

As far as I know, this is fairly common and even more so on the vvc engine (though I know yours isn't).
Check your oil level, it may just be a little low if you've noticed it before?
Sure others will be along soon!

youngbill · 15-02-2011, 21:36

hi yes i have had the same thing happen so i did add some kind of engine oil addative run it for a few miles then did a full oil and filter change did the trick, i do find that if the oil level gets a little low it seems to come back but only for afew seconds on start up.

Storm · 16-02-2011, 08:33

Cheers guys, the levels seemed good only a week or so again but I'll check them again coz you never know when they will drop.

Does the TF have hydraulic tappets? I'm just asking cos the guys with non-MiVEC FTOs have hydraulic tappets and they can describe a similar noise on starting.

Bill

EDIT - just checked the manual and yes, they are hydraulic tappets so a change of oil and a good top end treatment should be all it needs.

Thanks you guys who responded - I can stop panicking now - although I'll start again next week when she mentions something else!

Cheesyreich · 16-02-2011, 10:31

Mine does the same (VVC tho') If the car has been stood for a while the tappets will slightly drain of oil until the engine is started again and the pressure fills them back up. I believe it gets more pronounced the older the oil gets due to it being thicker.....bit like me really

TBarry · 16-02-2011, 11:30

I had this problem- on a TF115 too. It's a sticking tappet. I put in some engine flush and changed the oil and filter. Been fine ever since.

Storm · 11-04-2011, 15:02

I forgot to service the TF and just got a call from Mags to say her tappet was sticking again and the car wasn't running right, and the Engine Management Light came on

I reckon it will be fuel trim again because I haven't serviced it and if it is sticking as bad as she says it's probably got fouled plugs by now.

I just hope I haven't damamged anything else due to my forgetfulness!

Oh well, Halfords it is tonight then

MGF MARK · 11-04-2011, 17:44

it could be a lose spark plug
mine did that and ended up using to much fuel then the lamba failed

but sounded just like a cam lobe but after a while got worse so had it checked
i was looky as the plug was nearly out so thread could of striped meaning new head

jordimussol · 11-04-2011, 17:56

Tappet noise is quite common. This is because the tappet hasn't enough oil and at cold start the oil is too thick to penetrate inside the hydraulic tappet.

As soon as oil gets a tad warmer (and less dense) it can go into the tappet easier and the noise disappears.

I recently had a very loud tappet noise that didn't want to go away. Put some engine oil treatment and it disappeared in minutes.

LEt the oil get to warm operating temperature and if noise persists, this engine additive. Else, change of oil. If it still remains, then it's something more serious.

15-02-2011, 21:16	#1
Storm Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cupar, Fife Car: MG TF Posts: 493	Tappet noise on cold starting? I've just taken Margarets TF for petrol, it's been sitting since Monday so is cold. When I started it there was a fairly loud tappety noise coming, I think, from the top of the engine. It sounded like it could be a sticky valve tapping of the camshaft. After a minute ot two it dissapeared once the engine warmed up. Has anyone had any similar experiences? It's a TF 115 by the way with 39K on the clock and is due a service. Cheers, Bill

16-02-2011, 08:33	#4
Storm Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cupar, Fife Car: MG TF Posts: 493	Cheers guys, the levels seemed good only a week or so again but I'll check them again coz you never know when they will drop. Does the TF have hydraulic tappets? I'm just asking cos the guys with non-MiVEC FTOs have hydraulic tappets and they can describe a similar noise on starting. Bill EDIT - just checked the manual and yes, they are hydraulic tappets so a change of oil and a good top end treatment should be all it needs. Thanks you guys who responded - I can stop panicking now - although I'll start again next week when she mentions something else! Last edited by Storm; 16-02-2011 at 08:43.

16-02-2011, 10:31	#5
Cheesyreich Temporary Seller Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Saff Coast / New Forest Car: MGF MY2000 VVC in Anthracite - yum. XRV750X Africa Twin Posts: 772	Mine does the same (VVC tho') If the car has been stood for a while the tappets will slightly drain of oil until the engine is started again and the pressure fills them back up. I believe it gets more pronounced the older the oil gets due to it being thicker.....bit like me really Last edited by Cheesyreich; 16-02-2011 at 11:46.

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15-02-2011, 21:36	#3
youngbill Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: northwest Car: MGF/BRG/ollie savage. Posts: 791	hi yes i have had the same thing happen so i did add some kind of engine oil addative run it for a few miles then did a full oil and filter change did the trick, i do find that if the oil level gets a little low it seems to come back but only for afew seconds on start up.

16-02-2011, 11:30	#6
TBarry Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Car: MG TF Posts: 18	I had this problem- on a TF115 too. It's a sticking tappet. I put in some engine flush and changed the oil and filter. Been fine ever since.

11-04-2011, 15:02	#7
Storm Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cupar, Fife Car: MG TF Posts: 493	I forgot to service the TF and just got a call from Mags to say her tappet was sticking again and the car wasn't running right, and the Engine Management Light came on I reckon it will be fuel trim again because I haven't serviced it and if it is sticking as bad as she says it's probably got fouled plugs by now. I just hope I haven't damamged anything else due to my forgetfulness! Oh well, Halfords it is tonight then

11-04-2011, 17:44	#8
MGF MARK Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: WARWICKSHIRE Car: ASTRA CABBY Posts: 3,049	it could be a lose spark plug mine did that and ended up using to much fuel then the lamba failed but sounded just like a cam lobe but after a while got worse so had it checked i was looky as the plug was nearly out so thread could of striped meaning new head

11-04-2011, 17:56	#9
jordimussol Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Mallorca Car: MGF 1.8MPi Posts: 6,543	Tappet noise is quite common. This is because the tappet hasn't enough oil and at cold start the oil is too thick to penetrate inside the hydraulic tappet. As soon as oil gets a tad warmer (and less dense) it can go into the tappet easier and the noise disappears. I recently had a very loud tappet noise that didn't want to go away. Put some engine oil treatment and it disappeared in minutes. LEt the oil get to warm operating temperature and if noise persists, this engine additive. Else, change of oil. If it still remains, then it's something more serious.

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