DB9 engine ticking noise - help please
Discussion
Sorry to hear of peoples problems here. It's unfortunate to buy a car with a fault (as I know) but the sellers are guilty of passing on their bad luck (or miss-use). I just couldn't sell on a car that has a fault as was suggested earlier as it makes you as guilty. Well, that's my slant, I couldn't do it.
I reached out to Aston Martin just via their contact form on their website. Based on this, I guess my next step is to pay the dealership to tell me I need an engine rebuild or tell me to run a thicker oil. Below is the unsurprising response:
"Firstly, on behalf of Aston Martin, I apologise that you are experiencing a reported concern with your DB9 V12.
As I am sure you can appreciate, your Aston Martin is outside of its Manufactures Warranty, but in the first instance I would recommend that your car is looked at by an Aston Martin Approved Dealership so they can advise you further on your reported concern."
"Firstly, on behalf of Aston Martin, I apologise that you are experiencing a reported concern with your DB9 V12.
As I am sure you can appreciate, your Aston Martin is outside of its Manufactures Warranty, but in the first instance I would recommend that your car is looked at by an Aston Martin Approved Dealership so they can advise you further on your reported concern."
My 54 plate DB9 has also developed the tick recently and am unsure what to do as the cost of a rebuild is currently considerably more than half the value of the car.
It is annoying that Aston obviously knew there was an issue early on as I don't think there is any record of a post 56 plate DB9 having the issue (when the early cars would still have been under warranty).
It is annoying that Aston obviously knew there was an issue early on as I don't think there is any record of a post 56 plate DB9 having the issue (when the early cars would still have been under warranty).
I haven't been able to find a definitive answer as to what would happen if there isn't an engine rebuild or replacement. The car drives great and although it's sometimes gives me a pebble in the shoe feeling, I can live with the tick. I'm in Florida, so the AC is on most of the time so it doesn't tick. Another thought is to have the fans, or one of the fans come on sooner, possibly on startup. I have heard of others taking their cars to dealers who have suggested engine replacement, which doesn't make financial sense given the value of the car. I guess if the engine fails at some point, i'll have to consider it.
So, I've put just shy of 3,000 miles on my car since I got it 2.5 years ago. I'm not sure how long the tick was present before I got the car. The tick hasn't gotten louder and there hasn't been any noticeable change in performance. I am curious how many others are still running their ticking DB9 without any perceived worsening. I'm on the fence as to whether to just keep running the car (less than 2k miles per year) or to trade it in as the previous owner and likely others with the same issue have. I can live with the tick, I just don't want to car to blow up.
Ryanr317 said:
So, I've put just shy of 3,000 miles on my car since I got it 2.5 years ago. I'm not sure how long the tick was present before I got the car. The tick hasn't gotten louder and there hasn't been any noticeable change in performance. I am curious how many others are still running their ticking DB9 without any perceived worsening. I'm on the fence as to whether to just keep running the car (less than 2k miles per year) or to trade it in as the previous owner and likely others with the same issue have. I can live with the tick, I just don't want to car to blow up.
You have probably already watched this video Ryan, but I link it for you, just in case it is of help.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AgW2av9M6S4
Don't think there are comments about what might occur if the fault is ignored, which is your question, but it does provide information about the causes of the ticking sound.
Interesting that (perhaps sometimes) the tick is only audible, after a particular sequence of heatIng and engine speeds.
Jon39 said:
You have probably already watched this video Ryan, but I link it for you, just in case it is of help.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AgW2av9M6S4
Don't think there are comments about what might occur if the fault is ignored, which is your question, but it does provide information about the causes of the ticking sound.
Interesting that (perhaps sometimes) the tick is only audible, after a particular sequence of heatIng and engine speeds.
"I know of a few cases where the owner carried on driving. In all cases the point of repair was when the tick became too embarrassing!
What I normally see when driven for a long time with the condition is the liner wears oval, it drops / sinks in the block casting a little, enough for the head gasket to eventually leak and allow combustion gas into the water system and a pressurisation of the water system expelling coolant into the expansion bottle.
I’m sure nursing the engine along, it’ll go for quite some time, but do a few laps at race pace and the issue will turn into something more serious."
As you know, the video showed a car where a particular sequence had to take place from cold, even before any ticking could be heard.
If your car is the same, there is the possible answer perhaps. Might need to park the car just around the corner from your prospective trade-in dealer the night before though.
Ryanr317 is yours a 2004 DB9? Plus whats the build number and mileage?
My DB9 is an 04 and build no 249 with 60k miles so very early on and luckily has no tick, but I do keep an eye on it.
How do you drive it? Do you give it the full revs occasionally or always under 2k revs? If you don't push the car the tick might not get any worse.
Are you good with engines? would you consider removing it at home yourself to reduce repair costs? That's what I'd probably do if it happened to me.
What are you going to do?
Let us know how it goes.
My DB9 is an 04 and build no 249 with 60k miles so very early on and luckily has no tick, but I do keep an eye on it.
How do you drive it? Do you give it the full revs occasionally or always under 2k revs? If you don't push the car the tick might not get any worse.
Are you good with engines? would you consider removing it at home yourself to reduce repair costs? That's what I'd probably do if it happened to me.
What are you going to do?
Let us know how it goes.
paulrog1 said:
Ryanr317 is yours a 2004 DB9? Plus whats the build number and mileage?
My DB9 is an 04 and build no 249 with 60k miles so very early on and luckily has no tick, but I do keep an eye on it.
How do you drive it? Do you give it the full revs occasionally or always under 2k revs? If you don't push the car the tick might not get any worse.
Are you good with engines? would you consider removing it at home yourself to reduce repair costs? That's what I'd probably do if it happened to me.
What are you going to do?
Let us know how it goes.
Mine is a 2005 with 42,500 miles. Build number is 2778. I don't drive it hard. Revs are mostly under 2k. On occasion, mainly to hear the exhaust, i'll push to 5k rpm but that is short lived. I don't think I'm good enough mechanically to remove the engine myself. For now, I may just continue to drive it. I thought about trading for a newer Maserati GranTursimo, but see it as a downgrade in a sense.My DB9 is an 04 and build no 249 with 60k miles so very early on and luckily has no tick, but I do keep an eye on it.
How do you drive it? Do you give it the full revs occasionally or always under 2k revs? If you don't push the car the tick might not get any worse.
Are you good with engines? would you consider removing it at home yourself to reduce repair costs? That's what I'd probably do if it happened to me.
What are you going to do?
Let us know how it goes.
Ryanr317 said:
I thought about trading for a newer Maserati GranTursimo, but see it as a downgrade in a sense.
In your circumstances I would trade-in for anything which has good demand (hopefully to reduce buy and sell costs). Then trade-in or sell that, to buy a newer DB9 of my dreams from a main dealer, therefore having the Timeless warranty. In the UK, I would immediately take the DB9 to a top independent for an inspection, so that any faults detected could be dealt with by Timeless.
Obviously dealer margin costs are involved, but you would escape from the certainty of facing a huge expense at sometime in the future. Of course I would not, but some might suggest find an independent motor dealer, who appears too busy to read internet forums and arrive with a cold engine.
Add me to the list of those with the dreaded tick. 05 DB9 with just over 30k miles. Had the tick for at least 8k miles and I drive it like I stole it. Plan on upgrading to the Vanquish thermostat mentioned in other post. Can’t seem to locate a DIY As I’d like to tackle this myself if possible. Anyone?
Sorry to hear your problem.
You say yours is a 2005 year, is your engine a Cosworth built or AMEP built?
The thermostat housing is at the front top of the engine, just drain down and remove 2 large and 2 small hoses and bolts, there are a couple of rubber seals to replace also.
Others have tried the Vanquish stat with no joy.
I've heard some engines without oval liners can have just the small end bearings replaced, unfortunately if the liners are worn oval a replacement block is required.
Good luck.
You say yours is a 2005 year, is your engine a Cosworth built or AMEP built?
The thermostat housing is at the front top of the engine, just drain down and remove 2 large and 2 small hoses and bolts, there are a couple of rubber seals to replace also.
Others have tried the Vanquish stat with no joy.
I've heard some engines without oval liners can have just the small end bearings replaced, unfortunately if the liners are worn oval a replacement block is required.
Good luck.
Edited by paulrog1 on Sunday 8th May 17:40
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