Engine Rattle ?

[Hazzer]

All,

Not sure if this is quite the right topic for my problem, but here goes...

100k mile 1990 Vauxhall Carlton, well looked after (its been in the family from new) with oil changes every 4000 miles - its my daily hack.

Has started making a nasty rattling noise from the engine when started from cold, the noise is a ticking sound that is the same pace as engine speed. I have checked the oil level and it is bang on the max - however it has used some oil in the last 3000 miles, when it never used too.

Can you offer me some suggestions please? Favorite is a cracked or worn piston ring (s) at the moment... Do people think the symptons sound reasonable?

Look forward to receiving your comments.

Haz

[deltaf]

Sounds like a noisy hydraulic tappet to me.
My mates golf does the same thing too.
It wont hurt too much so long as it shuts up after a few minutes running, if not then replacement beckons!

[kevinday]

Sounds like tappets or camshaft to me.

[domster]

Haz, what about the Autobahnstormers???

Anyway, if the sound goes away after a few miles when engine is warm, defo a sticking tappet. Had the same on my Lotus Carlton.

Otherwise you know those 24v engines are a bit of a liability. Could be anything

[Hazzer]

Cheers Dom,

Its not a 24v (only a 2.0ltr 4cyl) !!

Makes a heck of a row - thats why it sounded more serious then a tappet.

Haz