Technical Engine & Exhaust Noise (YouTube)

[theangrytramp]

Hi Guys,

I've had this 2006 1.4 8v Active Sport Grande Punto for a year now, and while its never been perfect its started sounding dodgy over the last few months. In fact I'd grown blissfully unaware and used to the noise and it was only after receiving some comments on it from friends the other day, ("Ooooo mate whats wrong with your car, that sounds grim", "somethings definitely not right there") I realised that it sounds quite unhealthy.

Basically theres a fast clicking/ticking noise that comes from the engine bay when starting and running from cold. Once its up to temperature it seems to stop, so kind of stumped with what that could be.

I've had noise from the exhaust in the past, in fact I've posted about it before and came to the solution of using some firegum and another u-clamp on the join to stop it. This made it sound a little better for about a day, but after that it was actually worse than before.

I've recorded the noises from both the engine and the exhaust now so you guys can have a listen and diagnose it with your superior knowledge . The exhaust sound flairs up more when im revving but it was only me around today so I couldn't film and rev simultaneously.

Link is below:

[ame="https://youtu.be/Kz_mVtyge-c"]https://youtu.be/Kz_mVtyge-c[/ame]

Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom :slayer:

 

[Snails]

Sounds to me like you don't have enough oil reaching the camshaft.

 

[theangrytramp]

Hmmm. I gave it an oil change and a new oil filter around 2 months ago. But the oil level looked good on the dipstick. Would there be any reason/fault that would stop oil getting to the camshaft?

 

[flisko]

grande without aircon, thats rare

 

[Snails]

Oil pump could be knackered.

 

[MrDerv]

Cracked manifold/downpipe perhaps?

 

[theangrytramp]

grande without aircon, thats rare

Really? I thought it was fairly standard on the grandes.

 

[theangrytramp]

That would make sense. How sure are you on that? Obviously its difficult to just diagnose from a video, but if you had to guess.

 

[MrDerv]

That would make sense. How sure are you on that? Obviously its difficult to just diagnose from a video, but if you had to guess.

Was common on the Coupe 20VT, sounded like top end until warmed up. Once the manifold was hot enough, it expanded to seal the crack. Hence the suggestion as it seems to fit the symptoms you have (i know the coupe was a different engine )

If you can (and with great care), start the engine from cold, and place your hand near (not on) the exhaust and you should feel the exhaust gases escaping through the crack if there is one. If there's a heatshield, it will be worth taking it off for the test first. Run your hand from the manifold along to the downpipe where the second lambda sensor is attached.

 

[theangrytramp]

Oil pump could be knackered.

Would this not cause a decrease in oil pressure which would trip the oil error light on the dash?

 

[cmosfxx]

Sounds very bad indeed. What oil is in there? (Grade/brand)

 

[Snails]

The sensor is not on the top of the engine so the pistons could get enough lubrication but the camshaft would not and all this happening without any sensor or warning light going off.

 

[theangrytramp]

Sounds very bad indeed. What oil is in there? (Grade/brand)

I used Comma XFG5L 5L X-Flow Type G Fully Synthetic 5W40 that I bought off ebay. Had good reviews.

Should I be worried? I did a 200 mile trip in it a few days ago and it drove fine. It doesn't seem to get any worse.

Also I listened to it today and I might be mistaken about the noise stopping when the engines warm :bang:.

Also thanks everyone for helping out, Im a student and cant really afford to take it in to get a mechanic to have a look unless I really need to..

 

[theangrytramp]

The sensor is not on the top of the engine so the pistons could get enough lubrication but the camshaft would not and all this happening without any sensor or warning light going off.

Damn not good. So you think this could be linked to the oil pump? Are there any other symptoms that a crap oil pump would create?

Thanks

 

[cmosfxx]

Sticky valve lifter or low oil pressure.

Thicker oil may help...

What's the mileage on the car?

 

[theangrytramp]

Sticky valve lifter or low oil pressure.

Thicker oil may help...

What's the mileage on the car?

113,800 miles. Quite a lot, I know.

 

[hennabm]

If you leave it stood for a days, is it worse?
How quick does the oil light go out?

If you re concerned over pressure get someone with a pressure gauge to check cold and hot.

It may be something as simple as a worn drive belt.

It may also be the hydraulic tappets worn.

 

[Snails]

cant really afford to take it in to get a mechanic to have a look unless I really need to..

You shouldn't buy the car you can afford, you should buy the card you can afford to maintain.

If this has been going on for a long time you might even need a new camshaft since the lack of lubrication makes it rub on its seat and dig grooves into it.

Could be a sticking valve lift too, either way it needs a thorough investigation, we're only bouncing off ideas and opinions here.

If you like this car, if you would like to keep it and use it I strongly recommend you take it to a good shop ASAP.

DON'T get scared about prices, it's cheaper than replacing the entire engine when it dies completely and it's beyond repair.

A Grande Punto (can't speak from experience about other Italian cars) needs constant maintenance to keep it in proper working order, it's like going to the gym, you have to keep at it to make it work.

 

[theangrytramp]

Harsh words, but very true. My plan of action today is to get the car up on the ramps and check the manifold and down pipe for leaks. After that I'm going to leak some of the oil out of the sump, I've got this inkling that I may have over filled on oil when I did my oil change and that that could be exacerbating matters. It was only a touch overfilled which is why I didnt bother before, but I suppose I should rule it out. After that I'm gonna go buy some hydraulic valve lifter treatment stuff and see if that sorts anything out. If none of this helps I guess I'll bite the bullet and take to a mechanic. Will update with how things turn out. Thanks for all the help guys, appreciate it.

 

[MrDerv]

No point in trying the hydraulic lifter treatment, These engines are shim and bucket, no hydraulic lifters in them