cold engine noise on 944S2
Discussion
Errr, yeah, it is your tappets 
They are hydraulic and fill with oil - sometimes when the oil is viscous because it is cold, they take longer to fill with oil (via a small hole IIRC) and make that noise. The noise goes when the engine warms up.
If the noise annoys, so to speak, you can get the lazy tappet or tappets replaced. Not too bad a job really, but it involves removing the cams etc and finding the right one (it may only be one). Otherwise you will need to replace all tappets to find the offender, which is more costly. Sometimes you can simply clean the tappets and they'll work fine again.
Changing oil MAY help, could be worth a try.
I had this happen on a couple of engines with hydraulic tappets, and it was mildly irritating. It isn't life threatening to the engine from what I understand, tho'. Just a sign that one or more of your tappets is needs a refurb or to be replaced.
All subject to my Beano Annual understanding of car mechanics!
>> Edited by domster on Thursday 13th November 17:03
They are hydraulic and fill with oil - sometimes when the oil is viscous because it is cold, they take longer to fill with oil (via a small hole IIRC) and make that noise. The noise goes when the engine warms up.
If the noise annoys, so to speak, you can get the lazy tappet or tappets replaced. Not too bad a job really, but it involves removing the cams etc and finding the right one (it may only be one). Otherwise you will need to replace all tappets to find the offender, which is more costly. Sometimes you can simply clean the tappets and they'll work fine again.
Changing oil MAY help, could be worth a try.
I had this happen on a couple of engines with hydraulic tappets, and it was mildly irritating. It isn't life threatening to the engine from what I understand, tho'. Just a sign that one or more of your tappets is needs a refurb or to be replaced.
All subject to my Beano Annual understanding of car mechanics!
>> Edited by domster on Thursday 13th November 17:03
I tried to fix my tappet noise by changing the oil, but it did nothing.
I think it may be the small hole that the tappet fills up from that gets restricted. It may only be a single tappet or a couple (out of 16) that is a problem. Replacing them tends to do the trick (you may need to do all if necessary).
I think it may be the small hole that the tappet fills up from that gets restricted. It may only be a single tappet or a couple (out of 16) that is a problem. Replacing them tends to do the trick (you may need to do all if necessary).
Sounds like your car is knackered mate. I'll give you a tenner for it
Actually, the advice here is spot on. If you can live with it, do so. If you want to get rid of it, it's an easy enough job. Probably best combined with a timing belt change, as you'll need to remove belt and chain to get to the hydraulic lifters, so you may as well wait until the scheduled belt change (the usual caveat applies that if it starts taking longer and longer for the noise to go, get it looked at sharpish).
You'll probably find that it's one of those jobs that is cheaper to get done rather than do it yourself, as the garage should be able to identify the offending lifter (or lifters) and only replace that one or two, rather than all of them, which you might end up doing if you try it yourself and can't figure out which is the lazy one.
Cheers
James
Actually, the advice here is spot on. If you can live with it, do so. If you want to get rid of it, it's an easy enough job. Probably best combined with a timing belt change, as you'll need to remove belt and chain to get to the hydraulic lifters, so you may as well wait until the scheduled belt change (the usual caveat applies that if it starts taking longer and longer for the noise to go, get it looked at sharpish).
You'll probably find that it's one of those jobs that is cheaper to get done rather than do it yourself, as the garage should be able to identify the offending lifter (or lifters) and only replace that one or two, rather than all of them, which you might end up doing if you try it yourself and can't figure out which is the lazy one.
Cheers
James
I'd be curious regarding what type of oil you are using. I would think a change in oil might help, especially if you switched from a natural to a synthetic (which will flow a lot faster than dinosaur oil). Some of the wasserpumpers will "drain down" if they sit long enough, and if you use synthetic I suppose the drain down will be faster simply due to the fact that it flows better, and will seep or drain (and flow) into smaller areas faster, etc.
My 84 944 will make some noise if it sits long enough. The 90 S2 hasn't done this so far, but the 84 has 160,000 miles on it.
dogsharks
My 84 944 will make some noise if it sits long enough. The 90 S2 hasn't done this so far, but the 84 has 160,000 miles on it.
dogsharks
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