Slight Tapping With Cold Engine On Inclines

[Wiilm]

Fine on cold start, only noticeable if driving up a slope within first half mile. ..disappears after half a mile or so. O'k on the flat when cold.

Possibly brought on by lots of exceedingly short hop drives (due to partner's ankle injury) daily over the past couple of months - engine never really warming up?

Oil and filter were changed in July (genuine toyota).

A local mechanic who has heard it suggests using 5l of comma flushing oil followed by fresh oil/filter, plus Wynn's hydraulic valve lifter treatment. He reckoned the engine sounded perfectly o'k on initial cold start.

[Rossi46]

Is your oil level OK?

It might be slightly on the low side, so when you're on an incline it could be lacking enough lubrication.

Worth a check, if you haven't already done it.

[Parts-King]

You don't say what engine it is? Could you enlighten us? petrol / Diesel etc?

Kingo

[Wiilm]

My apologies for lack of detail.

It's an 04 plate with 1.8 petrol engine.

Oil level is less than a quarter down from the high mark. Mileage is approx 50k.

It didn't use any oil at all in the year (11k) prior to the last oil change. Since last oil change the level has gone down only very slightly.