[s-cars] Lifter noise

[dooksniffer at comcast.net]

A tired serp-belt tensioner bearing can make a very similar sound upon cold start-up.  Just my  $.02 cause that's what this list is for (right?).

Ron W.

-------------- Original message -------------- 

> I'm not sure about the de-gumming part...I'll let someone else answer that. 
> 
> But I at least wanted mention that I run into this lifter noise quite often 
> and possibly set your mind at ease. I try to watch the oil level, but 
> every so often I can hear that the lifters are making noise -- usually as I 
> enter my garage -- and that alerts me that I need some oil. When I first 
> bought the car, this lifter noise was a bit more chronic and it never went 
> away even with the oil level full. After owning the car about a year, some 
> mechanic changed the oil and revved up the engine to 6000 in neutral and got 
> the lifters to pump up and the noise to go away. Since then it only 
> returns if the engine is low on oil, and sometimes after adding oil, I also 
> have to go thru this same exercise to get the lifters pumped up again. 
> And...even after all that (owner) abuse, the engine continues to run great 
> with 115K. 
> 
> Thanks Joern for the check valve info. I'll have to look into that as well. 
> 
> -Bill 
> 
> Sometime I'll tell the story about the day I drove the car at 80 mph for 30 
> minutes with no coolant. ;-( Quite a rugged engine I have to say. 
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Mike Claire" 
> To: "Joern Amundsen" 
> Cc: 
> Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2004 8:21 AM 
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] Lifter noise 
> 
> 
> This is interesting. How do you feel about the chances of an "engine 
> cleaner" de-gumming it without surgury? 
> 
> I'd be interested in opinions about that, but to be conservative 
> here's my plan: change the oil and replace with Castrol full syn 
> 10w30 instead of Mobil 1, and an OEM filter. I'm running an OEM 
> filter now, but this one may have a faulty checkvalve. I've heard 
> several opinions about the Castrol oil behaving better in our cars. 
> 
> A proper filter, and oil filled to the top of the operating range 
> ought to do it. If not, I'll have to wonder about this oil gallery 
> check valve. 
> 
> 
> Thanks 
> Mike 
> 
> 
> On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 17:05:09 +0100, Joern Amundsen 
> wrote: 
> > Mike, 
> > There is a check valve in the oil gallery which should prevent the 
> draining 
> > of oil in the lifters when engine is shut down. The check valve is located 
> > behind the adapter that holds the VDO gauge sensor and 1,8 barg oil 
> pressure 
> > switch on the left side of the engine. If this valve sticks in closed 
> > position it will reduce the amount omf oil to the lifters an noice will 
> > occur, and if it sticks in open position the engine will clatter for quite 
> a 
> > few seconds when engine is started until oil pressure is buildt up again. 
> > 
> > Part number is : 077 103 175B-oil retention valve. It is quite thight and 
> > difficult to get the VDO sensor out and you should probably change all the 
> > copper rings(10 mm) while you are at it. The retention valve is loosened 
> by 
> > using a 8 mm four square Allen key. 
> > 
> > And the engines are also very sensitive to low oil level, meaning at low 
> > level on the dipstick noice will likely occur when oil temperature is 
> > reaching 90 - 100 deg C. 
> > 
> > Best regards Joern, MTM RS 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Mike Claire" 
> > To: 
> > Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2004 8:18 AM 
> > Subject: [s-cars] Lifter noise 
> > 
> > > I work from home and rarely drive the car long distances. Today I 
> > > went up north about an hour and 15 minutes on an appointment, and 
> > > drove back about an hour later. This was steady interstate driving, 
> > > 75 or 80 mph. That's probably the longest drive I've had. Near the 
> > > end of the trip I was idling in a drive thru line, thinking to myself 
> > > what a piece of crap car is ahead of me in line, the valvetrain 
> > > sounded like the oil hadn't been changed in the life of the car. Then 
> > > I noticed the car was actually brand new - still had the temporary 
> > > plates on it.... the noise was coming from my car :) 
> > > 
> > > I have NEVER heard this car (or any car I've ever had) sound the way 
> > > it did. I immediately checked my gauges (all normal) and pulled into 
> > > a parking space, shut off the car and just sat there and thought about 
> > > things a few minutes. Later I checked the oil and it was down at the 
> > > bottom of the operating range on the stick. That's the lowest I've 
> > > ever let it get. 
> > > 
> > > Knowing I had enough oil, normal pressure, and normal temps, I started 
> > > the car. It was still loud, but it was already quieter. I drove the 
> > > last 5 miles home, and by the time I was there it was like it never 
> > > happened. 
> > > 
> > > Ideas? 
> > > 
> > > Also, it bothers the heck out of me when I start the car each day and 
> > > hear the same valve noise for the first 1 second until pressure 
> > > builds. Anybody else get that? After that first second, sounds like 
> > > a brand new car. 
> > > 
> > > BTW I'm running Mobil 1 10W30, and I live in NH. It's not that cold 
> yet. 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Mike 
> > > _______________________________________________ 
> > > S-CAR-List mailing list 
> > > S-CAR-List at audifans.com 
> > > http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/s-car-list 
> > > 
> > > 
> > 
> > 
> _______________________________________________ 
> S-CAR-List mailing list 
> S-CAR-List at audifans.com 
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/s-car-list 
> 
> _______________________________________________ 
> S-CAR-List mailing list 
> S-CAR-List at audifans.com 
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/s-car-list