HELP! My cars tapping.

[Koolkuts1]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 05 January 2019 at 23:16

[Boosted LS1]

Is it the Fred Astaire limited edition?

[GreenV8S]

Koolkuts1 said:

I bought a Vauxhall’s Astra 1.6 8v club, 04 plate last week. It had a tapping noise

It would be worth trying to find where the noise is coming from. You can get useful information from the frequency - is it one 'tap' per engine revolution or more frequent? A mechanic's stethoscope can be useful to locate the source of the noise especially if it's coming from an ancillary rather than the engine itself. Also consider that a leaking exhaust manifold can produce a very mechanical sounding tap. You can often feel these by running your hand round the outside of the exhaust immediately after starting the engine from cold - obviously with due regard for moving parts.

[stevieturbo]

Without hearing this noise....this thread really isnt going to get very far.

People often explain things very different than reality. A short video clip of the noise might help a lot. But yes it could be tappets, or it could be something far worse. I wouldnt imagine it'd be a huge expense to replace tappets though, especially on an old 8v engine.
If that is even needed.

[Mignon]

You are not giving a very helpful explanation. If its frequency matches with rpm then it can't get faster just because you put your foot down unless the revs are actually changing too which is a by product of putting your foot down not a symptom of the noise. If it gets faster with throttle position only then you've probably stumped us all.

[Mignon]

Koolkuts1 said:

also it goes away as soon as that cars warm

That's handy to know at least. It would be confusing if it went away when someone else's car got warm.

[Mignon]

Trying to marginally more helpful in the absence of much good information, tappets wouldn't get louder with throttle position. Big or small ends would but they wouldn't get quieter as the engine warmed up. In fact they'd get worse. Piston slap would get better or go away entirely as the engine warmed. However we are really only urinating into inclement weather at this point without being able to hear the noise.

[Elliot2000]

Koolkuts1 said:

The noise is with the rpm whenever I put my foot down it gets faster and louder, also it goes away as soon as that cars warm

It sounds very much like tappets from that description. Don’t normally cause loss of power if they’re just noisy. It’s not something to be concerned about tbh

If they are manual tappets they can be adjusted easily and quickly, if they are hydraulic then you can replace them but I’d be inclined to live with it

Edited by Elliot2000 on Saturday 5th January 13:23

[sunbeam alpine]

If it goes away when the engine is warm, it could be a small leak on the exhaust manifold which seals up as the metal expands. Try checking that the nuts on the manifold are all tight.

[Thats What She Said]

Get yourself a screwdriver and put the pointy end on the rocker cover. Hold your ear against the handle of the screwdriver and you'll (with a bit of trial and error) manage to locate the source of the tapping.

[227bhp]

Koolkuts1 said:

Thats What She Said said:

Get yourself a screwdriver and put the pointy end on the rocker cover. Hold your ear against the handle of the screwdriver and you'll (with a bit of trial and error) manage to locate the source of the tapping.

Thank you, I’ll try this tomorrow

Get someone to film you so we can watch.

[Boosted LS1]

227bhp said:

Koolkuts1 said:

Thats What She Said said:

Get yourself a screwdriver and put the pointy end on the rocker cover. Hold your ear against the handle of the screwdriver and you'll (with a bit of trial and error) manage to locate the source of the tapping.

Thank you, I’ll try this tomorrow

Get someone to film you so we can watch.

.
It could be tinnitus.

[stevieturbo]

Koolkuts1 said:

I have deleted my initial message from this topic.

The mind does indeed boggle with this forum.