Technical Panda 1.1 mk2 engine rattle when cold.

[The Panda Nut]

Good morning, not a good video, think she has stage fright ! . Couple of taps seems to be less than before? Has been much louder! , and lasted longer? . Many thanks for your advice, I understand it's difficult just from a recording.
Will take off the cover, and check/photo any damage. Would I be right in thinking a cam and all the follower should be changed if necessary or new head kind of repair? Many views on this..
I take it's safe to drive at the moment as long as it doesn't get worse? Again very grateful for everybody's input!

Try a different brand of oil. It makes a difference

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Try a different brand of oil. It makes a difference

Worth a try short term. But there's a problem that's going to have to be addressed here.

 

[Rowley h]

Agreed. deffo a problem, any suggestions for oil?
Moto bitz oil as per their book.

 

[The Panda Nut]

That doesn't sound like the typical startup tappet noise I've heard on these engines. I'm reluctant to take a guess at what it might be without being able to listen properly to it "in the flesh" but, I'm sorry to say, I don't like the sound of it very much. Listening in the oil filler isn't very helpful, I think the mic is struggling with it. Because it's an easy thing to do I'd be tempted to take the cam cover off and closely inspect the cam lobes for scoring/damage and also the cam followers. It's always difficult to be sure based on a recorded sound like this. Doesn't sound like big ends but it definitely doesn't sound "right". Could it be piston slap? Probably not? My money's on something to do with cam and or followers. Do let us know when you find out please.

Edit. It's about the right frequency to be just one cam follower involved, don't you think folks? I can also hear the typical "worn bearing noise" in the background which many of us have mentioned before - unlikely to be related to the tapping.

I agree. It doesnt sound badly wrong, maybe just getting old like me. Monitor closely or as you say do a little light investgation.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Agreed. deffo a problem, any suggestions for oil?
Moto bitz oil as per their book.

I'm sure that oil will be absolutely fine. It's my preferred viscosity range (5W-40) for these engines and it's a good late spec API SN or ACEA C3 - take your pick. The Fiat standard it's tested to is slightly different to the one recommended for our engines, but probably exceeds it I'd guess? Wouldn't worry me in the slightest. What might be of interest is it meets the VW spec for the PD diesel engines which have a known camshaft wear problem - their lobes are quite narrow so subject to high point loading. If you use the wrong oil in them they wear the cams very quickly. - So I think this would be a very good choice, albeit it's a brand I've never used. Ah, a quick google turned up this: https://technolubeuae.com/

 

[Rowley h]

Sorry I forgot to say, this is the oil in the car at the moment.