ticking noise - only on start up

[haimsey]

had a quick search but couldn't come across what i was looking for.

in a morning (or afternoon, first start up of the day either way) theres a loud ticking that lasts about 5secs or so, and then stops. it is only on the first start up though.

it did it today and i counted 5secs, turned car off and started again, no noise :S

all belts and dephaser were changed 6/7 weeks ago.

any ideas?

 

[fUbAr]

It's not your head unit is it? The CD players do that.

 

[haimsey]

no, its definatley outside the cabin. radio/cd player was off (thats got the ticking noise, but nowhere near as loud as whats coming on start up)

sounds as if the noise in the 'bay

 

[jinjur]

Oil level / pressure ok?

 

[haimsey]

yeah oil level is fine too

its i quite a loud noise, louder than a ticking but i wouldnt say it was a 'knocking' noise though

definately outside and 'bay related but unsure what i could be? will have to try get a video tomorrow or something

 

[Trainerbrow]

piston slap??

 

[haimsey]

piston slap??

surely this would last longer than 5secs or less?

it literally does it once a day. some days it wont even do it

 

[Trainerbrow]

I believe as the engine warms up the piston expands, meaning less noise

 

[haimsey]

thats true, but within the first few seconds of the car being started first thing in a morning it would still be noticeable. im baffled as the car isnt driving poorly or seem affected by the noise

could it be something to do with the starter motor? maybe sticking or firing more than it should be?

 

[daddycool]

have you got someone to start it with your head under the bonnet?

 

[pa.ge]

Hydraulic lifters run out of oil for a bit until oil reach the head?

 

[withnick1]

injector?.

my dCi did this when the copper seal was fubared.

 

[daddycool]

Hydraulic lifters run out of oil for a bit until oil reach the head?

+1

 

[franx]

^^ +2

 

[haimsey]

hasn't made the noise for the past few days, iv'e been trying to get a video

i rang a family friend at the garage where the car went for belts to be done and he said may be the above suggestions or the starter motor sticking (might need a squirt of wd40) - whats the chances that it is a sticky starter?

 

[daddycool]

could be. if the little arm in the starter motor isn't springing back quickly enough it may be getting caught. i don't know how easy it will be to get WD40 to it though. i've taken a couple of starter motors apart and there isn't much to them so you could always give that a go, that way you could give the arm a good clean up.

 

[daddycool]

have you tried the screwdriver test? use a screwdriver around the engine bay to pinpoint the noise. if you put the end of the handle to your ear and the business end of the screwdriver on a solid object, it amplifies the noise, like a stethoscope. might be worth trying this on the top of the engine (tappets/lifters) and also the starter motor. don't know where the starter motor is on the clio though, you may need a bloody long screwdriver.

 

[Donny_Dog]

Hydraulic lifters run out of oil for a bit until oil reach the head?

+3

Nothing to worry about.

 

[Soot1e]

And hopefully you have the correct 5w 40 grade oil.

 

[haimsey]

it made the noise today, for about 1-2seconds, have a vid so will try get it uploaded.

oil is 5w 40 as the previous owner changed it regularly. oil will be getting changed soon anyway as i have just got some ready for when i next get a weekend & time

will try the screw driver trick too!