Technical Panda 1.1 mk2 engine rattle when cold.

[Rowley h]

Hi all ! . Got myself a Panda, that has developed a tapping noise for first 5Mins or so from cold. Oil change made no difference, 60k.
Could anyone direct me to any threads relating to this issue or ideas? As I'm a newbie, first fiat owner as well, any assistance will be appreciated!! Many thanks

 

[Greasytrucker]

If it goes away when warm then chances are it’s a sticking hydraulic tappet and not too much to worry about, sometimes a can of engine flush can sort them out but if you’ve just done an oil change you might just have to put up with it for a bit. I had a car once that used to do it on a regular basis and i just used to start it, let it tick over for 10 seconds, then stop and restart it and it’d be silent for the day then

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

If it goes away when warm then chances are it’s a sticking hydraulic tappet and not too much to worry about, sometimes a can of engine flush can sort them out but if you’ve just done an oil change you might just have to put up with it for a bit. I had a car once that used to do it on a regular basis and i just used to start it, let it tick over for 10 seconds, then stop and restart it and it’d be silent for the day then

I believe the 1.1 and 1.2 FIRE never used hydraulic tappets? They are solid with shims to adjust clearances. I'm very happy to be corrected though if I'm wrong. The 1.1 and 1.2 are well known for tapping noises briefly - very briefly - on cold start due to the oil supply taking a few seconds to get up to the top of the engine to lube the followers. Our 2010 1.2 60hp does it but it's literally just seconds and I've heard others doing likewise.

What year is your car Rowley? Early versions had an oil supply pipe which ran along beside the cam with holes in it to direct oil onto the lobes. Later engines incorporated the oil supply into the cam cover itself. Maybe this oil supply is blocked or partially blocked? I've seen the early engines with the separate pipe with some of the holes blocked. The early engines are quite easy to identify as they have a square shaped rubber oil filler cap. I can imagine that if the pipe was blocked or maybe partially blocked, then the tappets would rattle until enough oil spilled out from the cam journal bearings to lube the lobes and tappet buckets? Just a thought.

Any chance of posting a recording of the noise?

 

[Rowley h]

Thanks for the rapid response!.
58 plate, round oil filler cap. Model active eco.
This morning no noise started and ran fine.
However 5 hours later started the car again and rattle/clacky for minute or so, both times engine was cold. It does sound like top of the engine and oil not being present does make sense.
Will record engine sound next time she plays up lol. I will give the 10 seconds a go
Again many thanks!!!

 

[Greasytrucker]

Thanks for the rapid response!.
58 plate, round oil filler cap. Model active eco.
This morning no noise started and ran fine.
However 5 hours later started the car again and rattle/clacky for minute or so, both times engine was cold. It does sound like top of the engine and oil not being present does make sense.
Will record engine sound next time she plays up lol. I will give the 10 seconds a go
Again many thanks!!!

Worth a go, although I’d trust what Jock said over me, as he’s a trained mechanic and i’m what I’d describe as a tinkerer! Either way though doesn’t sound too serious

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Worth a go, although I’d trust what Jock said over me, as he’s a trained mechanic and i’m what I’d describe as a tinkerer! Either way though doesn’t sound too serious

58 plate so 2008/9? with round filler cap so no spray bar it'll have the oilways in the cam cover I think? I've not come across one of them with a blockage myself. One thought does occur. The oils supply drillings between the cover and cam journal housings are sealed with rubber O rings which fit in grooves in the cam cover. If it's been assembled with no O rings the oil will leak at this join instead of going to the cam? Just wondering. Maybe not very likely?

Don't put yourself down man. It might well be a sticky tappet, just not a hydraulic one ? It's strange that it's ticking for so long, usually they just do it for a few seconds. If our friend manages to upload a recording of the noise I'll be listening to it very carefully.

 

[Greasytrucker]

58 plate so 2008/9? with round filler cap so no spray bar it'll have the oilways in the cam cover I think? I've not come across one of them with a blockage myself. One thought does occur. The oils supply drillings between the cover and cam journal housings are sealed with rubber O rings which fit in grooves in the cam cover. If it's been assembled with no O rings the oil will leak at this join instead of going to the cam? Just wondering. Maybe not very likely?

Don't put yourself down man. It might well be a sticky tappet, just not a hydraulic one ? It's strange that it's ticking for so long, usually they just do it for a few seconds. If our friend manages to upload a recording of the noise I'll be listening to it very carefully.

Yes, be a lot easier to diagnose if we can hear it