It's happened in the last two days.

Cold start up.

A light tapping noise which I straight away thought hydraulic lifters/camshaft because the sound increases with rpm.

But... literually after ten seconds the noise just go aways 100%. Not only that if I start it up anytime during that day there is no noise. Only when doing morning start.

The engine oil level is fine. new filter and oil a few weeks back. How can engine oil not be getting up and around quick enough.

I know there is oil pressure as I have 2 gauges. Even though they are dodgy and don't give the proper reading there is oil pressure there.

Do tappet noise go away like described above or could a tapping noise be and of the pulleys? thanks.

Edited 30 December, 201510 yr by damunk

Did you put the correct grade of oil in? Maybe the new oil is a bit too thick on these cold winter mornings.

I would definately say its the tappets, and nothing to worry about right now, though they will get worse over time, if I'm right as they get older they do this when the engine has been sat for a while and cools down. as soon as they get some oil and heat again they are fine. just don't drive it hard when it's cold (not that you would any way) and it will be fine, at the point it become prolonged and is even there when the engines warm, I would replace them.

Yup 170,000 miles on the clock. Might just take it easy completely with this one.

nothing to really worry about especaly with those miles on it

a change to good quality oil with a genuine filter might help it , if youre keen then drop the sump to check the oil pick up is clean

It did not do it this morning but yeah genuine filters and good quality oil i use.

Not sure where you are, but here the temp dropped by 5 degrees compared to the last few days. (but it did not happen this morning for you).

As the oil is cold it does not flow as freely.Yes you get pressure from the pump - but the lifters aren't fully filled for a bit.

I know this oil flow difference for sure because I did an oil change on a Yaris at 9am today - 5W30 fully synth. Came out of the hot engine like thin gravy. New bottle poured so slowly into the filler funnel and took ages to reach the sump.

It's worth spending the extra few quid and getting your oil from VAG, I always used to say anything will do for such a basic engine, then I tried Quantum Synta from the stealers and it really does quieten them down.

@dvd: yea it has gone cold in the last few days and u might be on to something there - i think also when i started it i reved it straight away to 2000rpm -

is it wise to do that to get the oil pressure high. or is it wise to avoid any high revs on start up.

2000 revs wont hurt it but id avoid lots of revs on a cold engine

i dont know if the later vw said so , but the 80s ones had a bit in the handbook saying dont worry about lifter noise for the first few seconds

my breadvan will do it if i dont use it everyday , where my g60 had never done it even when parked up for months

Did you fit a valved oil filter?

If it's happening immediately the engine fires, then it would happen regardless of oil or temperature, and means a tappet is entirely reliant on oil pressure. Tappet pressure can be a bit temperamental, can't help thinking the oil change is a factor.

5w/40 is the stuff for these.

i've always used 10w/40 mobil 2000 semi.

the filter is genuine vw one. same one I always use.

its some thing you expect with a old engine -

time to nurse it.

try another brand next time...or the quantum oil from vw

if it bothers you tappets arent that expensive if you can pick which one it is

i've always used 10w/40 mobil 2000 semi.

the filter is genuine vw one. same one I always use.

its some thing you expect with a old engine -

time to nurse it.

Only if it's worn. An engine can do a million miles if ran and serviced properly - if you have a noisy tappet then there's a reason why and it's not just because it's 'old'. It's because the tappet is either worn, spring broken, cam lobe worn, or oil pressure down. And all can be sorted before taking the rest of the engine with it..

oil pressure down. i think i need to check this. aslong as it's not a broken spring.

I had a couple of tappets that were noisy on start up in my 6N. I also had a thermostat that wasnt letting the engine get up to proper temp. I didnt mind too much until the colder weather arrived and the mpg dropped through the floor.

New thermostat, nice hot engine again, mpg back to normal and also, the tappets are much quieter now.

She's due an oil change, so I'm going to going to give the engine a damn good flush out with some flushing oil. Also do the pick up sieve as Steveo has mentioned.

Is 5w/40 thinner than 15w/40 ? Why is it the stuff for a 6N ? I've had 15/40 semi synth recommended to me for a high mileage engine. Wrong advice ?

Is Quantum the best ? I would rather use the best to prolong the life of the engine.

quantum is a trusty brand ,we can sit there and argue all day what brand is best but stick to a known brand if you care about the car , at the end of the day quantum is a re label like many of the high street stores are

no need to get 15/40 because its high mileage

the 10w bit = how thick /thin the oil is when cold , so 0 would be like water and 20 would be like treacle ...so using a thicker oil than vw reccomend just means it wont ciruclate as fast when cold and cause more drag

the last number 40 is how thick it is when up to temp - thats the number you would want to increase to hide a worn out smokey rattly engine , poor quality oils wont stay in spec for long and if that number drops then the engine will have low oil presure