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[Bumbazor]

I started the car this morning and got a tapping sound coming from the engine bay. I opened the bonnet and it sounded like it was coming from the engine but then it got quieter and quieter until I could not hear it.

It sounded like when you get a twig or something like that stuck in the fans but it wasn't that and I'm sure it was somewhere in the engine and it only lasted about 10-20 seconds until the sound stopped.

Sometimes I notice it when it's cold (normally only lasts 5 seconds or so though) but today it was a lot more noticeable and lasted a bit longer than it usually does.

I think it's got something to do with starting from cold and also when the weather is cold as I don't notice it during the day when the weather is warmer, and also when the engine is warm I don't notice it.

I can't see anything stuck in the aux belt (or whatever it's called) and I didn't have time to check the cam belt.

Could it be something caught in the cam belt or is it likely to be something in the engine block?


Thanks

[Loch View]

When was your last oil change?

[gavbriggs]

i think this is the hydraulic tappets and nothing to worry about, mine does it and my range rover does on ocaision. so long as the noise clears up quite quickly i'm sure its fine. check your oil level tho just in case!!

[Bumbazor]

I haven't done it myself since I got the car in August last year.

But I did top it up after I replaced the cam cover gaskets at the end of last year (after losing oil).

Certainly not done a full change though.

[Loch View]

I've had this noise as well and an oil & filter change significantly reduced it.

[Cliffo B]

Could be caused by any of those things already mentioned. Add air con compressor to your list they can tap on start up. :-/  

[Bumbazor]

Could have been aircon too as I had it on to clear the windows but quite sure as soon as I turned it over I heard the sound. I don't think I turned air con on at that time though, unless it came on itself after being left on when I turned the car off (does it do that?)

[Welung666]

99% it'll be a hydraulic lifter, a couple of short oil and filter changes will reduce it right down.

[Bumbazor]

Never heard of a hydraulic lifter; what is its purpose and where is it in the engine?

[Marks DTM Calib]

Never heard of a hydraulic lifter; what is its purpose and where is it in the engine?

Its part of the valve train.

It sits between the cam lobe and the valve top and pumps up with oil to remove any clearance resulting in quieter and auto adjusting cam running (as oppsoed to adjustable rockers or shimmed clearances)

[gavbriggs]

what he meant were no more setting the tappets and fiddling with feeler guage etc

it sorts its self out and the tapping is them doing this

[Andy B]

Never heard of a hydraulic lifter; what is its purpose and where is it in the engine?

A hydraulic variation on a pushrod from the olden days.  

[Bumbazor]

Ah, TFFT in that case; I thought it was something bad. I'll be changing the oil soon though, maybe when I do my cam belt.

[dbug]

99% it'll be a hydraulic lifter, a couple of short oil and filter changes will reduce it right down.

Had it on mine - a couple of oil/filter changes cured completely.  Use Vx semi-synth 10W/40 oil.

[mark.adams]

Just a thought but could it be a hairline crack in the manifold, that sounds like a tapping noise and only happens when the engine is cold?