Range Rover rattles on start up!

[Redwing]

I've got a 2003 petrol RR with about 75k on the clock. In the last week it has started to make a very clattery noise in the couple of seconds after start up. It sounds almost as if there is no oil in it for the first few seconds but I have checked and she has plenty. It may just be my imagination but it appears to be getting worse. Has anyone got any ideas what it could be? Is there a non return valve that stops all the oil draining down into the sump? Any suggestions out there? Has anyone else had the same problem? Thanks James

[tonys]

I don't know much about these engines, but they have chains and hydraulic tappets, either of which could cause similar noises.
The attached link also has info.
http://rangerovers.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&amp...

As it's a BMW engine, might be worth searching a few of the BMW forums.

[GKP]

Also do a search on VANOS.

[Redwing]

It sounds like I have Vanos rattle! I don't know whether to go to the garage or the doctor?

[Skier]

Does you RR have a Dual Mass Flywheel? If so, check it out. I've just had identical symptoms on one of my cars (non-Range Rover) and it was the Dual Mass Flywheel - it could be turned through >90 degrees by hand and made a tremondous rattle on start-up, fine the rest of the time though troublesome starting in very cold weather.

Regards

Skier

[bozmandb9]

It will probably either be Vanos, or hydraulic lifters. Vanos generally makes it sound a bit like a diesel. Lifters can sound clattery.

How do you drive it? If you drive it on lots of short journeys, or have oil of the wrong viscosity, oil starvation in the lifters can begin to make it rattly on start up. This can be quite simply resolved, firstly be putting the right oil in, then following a simple procedure to bleed the lifters, though it may not even be necessary.

Take a look at this page, it's for the 7 series e38, which you're probably aware has the same engine:

http://meeknet.co.uk/e38/BMW_E38_Case_Study_Noisy_...

[Redwing]

Excellent advice! Thanks very much!

[eliot]

If it only lasts a couple of seconds on a cold startup, then i would ignore it. My 540 did it - nothing to worry about.
if it lasts longer and does it when its warm too - then it shouldn't be ignored.

[ruaricoles]

eliot said:

If it only lasts a couple of seconds on a cold startup, then i would ignore it. My 540 did it - nothing to worry about.
if it lasts longer and does it when its warm too - then it shouldn't be ignored.

+1

A short rattle is quite common on these engines and usually not an issue; there are anti-drain valves at the back of the heads which don't always work properly. My L322 did it a bit, as did a friend's; he mentioned it to a mate at a dealer once who advised do nothing and not to worry. More likely to have issues from trying to fix it than any issue from not doing so!

Ruari

[Redwing]

Do nothing, now that sounds like a plan! Thanks for your help I'll let you know how I get on!