Engine ticking - any thoughts?

[benjj]

Chaps,

The Citroen is running quite well but I'm still to get to the bottom of the 'ticking' coming from the engine.

Excuse the American person in this youtube clip but it the sound that most closely resembles my 'tick'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qY9hlpE8k0

It seems there are a number of possible culprits:

Low oil and oil pressure
Loose or sticking valve or valves
Worn cam follower (tappety noise)

Anyone got any advice to give? The noise isn't constant, it speeds up or down depending on road speed. I took the car on a hard blast (100 miles at an average 50mph inc very steep ups & downs) and the noise did seem to get a bit louder.

I don't think it is oil related but I will check when I get home later. The only reason I think this is that the car has just had a full fluid and filter change. I suppose that it may not have been fully topped up though.

Would be nice if it was something I could address myself so any thoughts would be very much appreciated.

Ben

[trickywoo]

Might it be as simple as the valve clearences needing adjustment?

[benjj]

trickywoo said:

Might it be as simple as the valve clearences needing adjustment?

Hopefully

Just been reading about the million and one other things it could be, most notably a screwed piston...

[BlueMR2]

If it changes based on road speed and not revs are you sure its the engine?

Maybe a different grade oil will help. Is your car old enough to need higher levels of zddp than modern oils give except 20w-50 which often has high levels still?

[spoodler]

From the info' you've given it could be any of a huge no. of things, most you need not worry too much about. When you say dependent on road speed (so not dependent on rev's, not engine then!?)- does it make the noise at a standstill, clutch in or out, in gear or not, what about with the engine off and coasting? Answer some of those questions and you narrow down the possibilities. At the moment it could be a stone in the tire tread or a main bearing, try and narrow it down...If it does it rolling with engine off for example then it's likely to be driveline related (driveshaft coupling?), if it does it at a standstill more likely to be engine, the noise in the video sounds like topend/camshaft - the sort of thing anyone whoever owned an eighties Vauxhall would be familiar with...

Edited by spoodler on Wednesday 10th August 11:46

[chard]

Are you sure it's not the suspension pump?
I had a BX that "ticked"

[Rower]

Exhaust leak from manifold...?

[Rower]

Exhaust leak from manifold...?

[Ant2000]

Are you sure it's not the suspension pump?
I had a BX that "ticked

Yes my Bx does it to its the hight corrector on the pumps all normal

[benjj]

Thanks chaps.

Not had a chance to have a full look yet but it isnt the exhaust manifold or spheres/suspension. It is an engine top end noise. Suspect either cam followers or valves, hopefully valves.

Just about to go and check oil level, hadn't considered the new oil issues, will investigate.

Also think i will need to run it on 99 ron super as the engine is primed for 98+ ron. That couldn't cause a tick though (i dont think)

[stuttgartmetal]

Does it go like a bomb?

[benjj]

The car you mean? If so it goes well for a DS, yes.

[B Huey]

chard said:

Are you sure it's not the suspension pump?
I had a BX that "ticked"

This was my first thought, I've had a couple of BXs.

[johnfm]

stuttgartmetal said:

Does it go like a bomb?

Explosive acceleration, I expect!

Maybe it's blown a fuse.....









That is all the bomb puns I know...