Noisy Engine on startup

[mikehb]

hi
my 1998 c 240 has become very noisy on startup, a failrly loud clattering, subsides after about a mile and is fine until next day
could this be tappets maybe or something else
thanks
mike

 

[EmilysDad]

Sounds like it could be How frequently has the car had oil changes?
Though I've never used it, I've heard good things of Wynns tappet treatment http://www.halfords.com/motoring/en...-additives/wynns-hydraulic-valve-lifter-350ml

 

[mikehb]

Thanks, it gets an oil change every 9,000 miles ,its done about 5,000 since the last change, is there a solution if the addative doesnt work

 

[Yugguy]

What's the mileage? Oil pump could be getting tired so it's not getting oil to the top of the engine fast enough on start, when the oil is cold and thick.

 

[mikehb]

thanks, its done 160,000

 

[LostKiwi]

Remove the serpentine belt and see if the noise is still there. A bad idler or bearing in an ancillary can sometimes do this.

I wouldn't expect an oil pump issue on these at 160k.

 

[mikehb]

thanks will try that, if it is the tappets is there likley to be a catostrophic failiure

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Might be the wrong oil for your engine .

 

[Arudge]

Might be the wrong oil for your engine .

Very possible. In theory, once a hydraulic tappet is pumped up it should stay pumped up; but as they get older the little tinkers leak down and have to be pumped up constantly. This isn't an oil pump on start up issue, but could be an oil too thin issue. If changing the oil doesn't work then there knackered, but it sounds a lot worse than it is.

 

[Arudge]

Just re read the OP posts. Yes, there are additives for this problem, not a fan of additives myself preferring to address the problem more directly, but I understand they work well, a bit like radweld for your cooling system.

 

[Arudge]

thanks will try that, if it is the tappets is there likley to be a catostrophic failiure

No. It'll just sound like an old Lada and have as much power as an old mini 850. Pop in some new tappits and all will be well.