Tapping When Cold?

[carolinepallett]

Hello everyone :-)

I've just taken delivery of a brand new Aygo and I'm over the moon with it! However, I've noticed one thing that rather concerns me...

When I'm starting the engine from cold there is a brief, half-second rattle until the oil pressure's up. Is this normal for a brand new Aygo engine? Does this engine have hydraulic valve lifters?

Any help would be greatly appreciated :-)

[Devil-ish]

Cant answer your query but WELCOME to TOC and particularly welcome to the Aygo section B)

[weevicky]

My car has always done that apparently its perfectly normal :)

[daveyjp]

Normal until the oil gets to the top of the engine.

[adilmon]

Hello everyone :-)

I've just taken delivery of a brand new Aygo and I'm over the moon with it! However, I've noticed one thing that rather concerns me...

When I'm starting the engine from cold there is a brief, half-second rattle until the oil pressure's up. Is this normal for a brand new Aygo engine? Does this engine have hydraulic valve lifters?

Any help would be greatly appreciated :-)

Only the diesel Aygo has hydraulic valve lifters (aka hydraulic lash adjusters)

Petrol Aygo has a DOHC with bucket tappets (cam followers). The shims fit under the bucket. It not uncommon that the valve clearance are a set to their largest allowable width to allow the new valve to seat themselves properly. But if this was the case you would hear tapping noise until the engine is warm.

I suspect that, because the cams are splash lubricated (from the camshaft journal bearing oil), it just takes a second longer for the colder & thicker oil to get to where it needs to be. :)

[carolinepallett]

Hello everyone :-)

I've just taken delivery of a brand new Aygo and I'm over the moon with it! However, I've noticed one thing that rather concerns me...

When I'm starting the engine from cold there is a brief, half-second rattle until the oil pressure's up. Is this normal for a brand new Aygo engine? Does this engine have hydraulic valve lifters?

Any help would be greatly appreciated :-)

Only the diesel Aygo has hydraulic valve lifters (aka hydraulic lash adjusters)

Petrol Aygo has a DOHC with bucket tappets (cam followers). The shims fit under the bucket. It not uncommon that the valve clearance are a set to their largest allowable width to allow the new valve to seat themselves properly. But if this was the case you would hear tapping noise until the engine is warm.

I suspect that, because the cams are splash lubricated (from the camshaft journal bearing oil), it just takes a second longer for the colder & thicker oil to get to where it needs to be. :)

[carolinepallett]

Thanks everyone, your helpful information has been much appreciated. My mind is now at ease and I look forward to getting to know this forum! Here's to many years of happy Aygo motoring! Thanks again :-)

[igo-ugo-wego]

my aygo has always done that too! was a little worrying! it is quite annoying at times too cos its supposed to be new but can sound like a very old ford fiesta (tractor) haha once the revs get higher it goes away tho! i never worried bout it cos its new! just thought it was to do with the 'cheap factor' haha ;)

[fighting falcon]

I took my aygo in with similar problem dealer checked it

all is fine

[aygo-bloo]

My new 'Blue' does it too, but I do not believe it's the valves, instead it sounds more like the timing chain.

I had the same noise on my Smart Roadster and both cars have a timing chain as opposed to a cam belt like other vehicles sometimes use. I believe the Aygo also has a hydraulic tensioner which is fed by engine oil, but when the oil is cold it doesn't supply enough pressure to correctly operate the tensioner, hence the slight rattle upon start up.

Anyhoo, it's nothing to worry about, unless the noise persists when the engine is warm or gets louder.

[carolinepallett]

hi everyone! thanks for all your helpful replies. I am pleased to say that now my AYGO is fully run in the engine is much quieter when starting from cold. Also it's going really well now...delighted!