Hello, I recently started hearing this ticking noise at cold start, the first 3 seconds are even louder but I didn't record and then it's loud like in the video for 30-45 seconds then it's mute.

I changed the oil (10w40) and did the timing belt last week.

The engine is 1.4 MPI AUD, 213k km

What this noise could be from??

 

I only hear exhaust for that.

 

Can you record from engine bay?

 

Probably the hydraulic tappets slow at pressurising, so the cam lobes slap the valve ends, rather than stroking them.

 

 

 

 

18 hours ago, dvderlm said:

I only hear exhaust for that.

 

Can you record from engine bay?

 

Probably the hydraulic tappets slow at pressurising, so the cam lobes slap the valve ends, rather than stroking them.

 

 

 

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/qAmIciN-JHc?si=i7MZVR6qbW0btCXu

 

Thanks. Yes sounds very like hydraulic rocker(s). 

You could take the engine cover off and use a "listening stick" to try to narrow down which cylinder(s) have the problem. 

Like a poor man's stethoscope, hold a long screwdriver against the cylinder head working left to right. 

 

Might be able to clean insides of the lifters with engine flushing additive. Or might need a garage to change worn / dirty lifters.

 

Was oil real hot when you changed it?

 

 

1 minute ago, dvderlm said:

Thanks. Yes sounds very like hydraulic rocker(s). 

You could take the engine cover off and use a "listening stick" to try to narrow down which cylinder(s) have the problem. 

Like a poor man's stethoscope, hold a long screwdriver against the cylinder head working left to right. 

 

Might be able to clean insides of the lifters with engine flushing additive. Or might need a garage to change worn / dirty lifters.

 

Was oil real hot when you changed it?

 

 

Changed the oil in the morning, didn't start the car before but the old oil was dirty and didn't look good at all (the car wasn't started for 4 years)

I will try the thing with the screwdriver but if I remove the engine cover I take the air filters out too, wouldn't that hurt anything?

Is this bad if it is only at cold or I can still drive the car?

Thank you.

It  sounds like a possible rattle from a hydraulic tappet. If the engine hasn’t been run for 4 years the tappets, or at least some of them, will likely of lost oil.

 

If your oil light goes out on starting the engine and you’ve done a change with the recommended oil,  it’s sometimes an idea to rev the engine for a few minutes, then idle again to see if it quietens them down. You can repeat this process  a few times.

 

Just letting it idle may not quieten them down.

 

I’ve just bought a new set of INA tappets for my MK2 polo and the recommendation is run the engine for 4 minutes at 2 to 3K revs,then 30 seconds rest and seeing if they quieten down, if not repeating the process for a further 4 minutes. If that doesn’t work do it for 6 then 7 then 8 then 9 minutes, with a 30 second rests  in between, in total 5 attempts to stop the rattle.
 

If that doesn’t sort it  then you may have a faulty hydraulic tappet/camshaft or an oil pressure issue.

 

As I say this is the recommended procedure for NEW tappets, but it might do the trick, especially as your engine has been stood for so long. I emphasise you must ensure your oil warning light goes out before trying this.

Edited 15 October, 20232 yr by mk2tastic

Cold oil not circulating, yeah it probably left some crud that got inside a tappet.

If not changed for many miles the oil filter might even have opened its bypass valve so not filtering.

 

Don't drive without air filter.. but fine for investigation in a none dusty or gritty place.

If you are going to leave it for any length time cover the inlet. I have used clean cloth, plastic bag and rubber glove over the years.

 

Same as mine. My starter motor the rotor is a bit loosy and I think that's the problem. With engine cold it shackles a bit more and makes the rotor slam inside. But I haven't confirmed it yet.