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96 1.3L engine knock until warm
Topic Started: Apr 24 2012, 08:16 AM (1,070 Views)
BigRobRN
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My 96 1.3L Metro has done this only about 6 times over the past few years, but it is happening more often now. This mainly happens when she has sat up for about 2 days or more.

Like I said, the knock or tap at start up is becoming more frequent. Goes away after about 2 minutes. I changed my oil yesterday thinking it may be a lubrication problem. It did it again this morning. I have 30k miles on my reman motor that had put in it back in May 2008.

The knock/tap is rpm sensitive meaning it increases/decreases with the engine rpm.

Is this a lifter issue? Piston issue? Valve issue?

I know when I got this car it had a hand grenaded valve, but I have a different motor in her and she's been running strong and getting me 44mpg always.

This really has me perplexed as to why it has only done this about 6 times over the past 4 years, but now becoming more frequent, and then it goes completely away after about 1-2 minutes.

She gets meticulous maintenance on a regular basis and an annual tune up. She is not neglected by any means.

Rob
Edited by BigRobRN, Apr 24 2012, 09:05 AM.
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

I would suggest pin pointing the sound by either feel or my favorite, a mechanic's stethoscope.

Sitting 2 or more days would mean oil had drained completely. Which begs the question of the oil relief valve being stuck? It may be having trouble building up pressure.

Are you using an alphabet oil in a 5W30 weight? Might do the Seafoam Maintenance plan to clean out some carbon. My dirty oil drains out black after 200-300 miles of driving with Seafoam. :)
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BigRobRN
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Last night I drained the Super Tech 5w-30 and put in Rotella T 10w-30. It was knocking this morning for about 2 minutes then completely went away.
Its more of a tapping sound than a knocking sound. Maybe I need to look into a mechanics stethoscope.
I really hope it is nothing major.

Any other suggestions?
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

Can you post a video? YouTube and a link?

Oh, and wait for more suggestions from other members. :)
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Coche Blanco
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It is probably a stuck lifter.
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Car Nut
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CB's probably right. Do the Seafoam in the oil thing, or try adding Marvel Mystery Oil at the next oil change. Maybe even do both. Seafoam cleaning, followed by MMO. If it's lifters, it will help.
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Nappers
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Agreed on MMO and seafoam. It really cleans things up.
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Woodie
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I'd guess lifter
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944door
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Woodie
Apr 25 2012, 06:23 AM
I'd guess lifter
+1 mine has had the tap condition for years 7+. Now pistion slap till warm (371k miles) shes getting ragged out and is in need of my 5 year redo of the entire vehicle.
Edited by 944door, Apr 25 2012, 09:46 AM.
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BigRobRN
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Thanks guys. I wish I would have thought about the seafoam 3 plan before I just dumped the oil 2 nights ago.

Rob
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Michner
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It may be piston slap, or an hydraulic lifter leaking down. Probably nothing to worry about. I'm working off my iPhone so sorry if someone's already said this. ;)
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BigRobRN
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It hasn't done this in 2 days now so I'm hoping the fresh Rotella T 10w-30 will help. And of course now that I just rebuilt the front end and had a fabulous 4 wheel alignment, I'll be driving her much more now.

Rob
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BigRobRN
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Been over a week now. The fresh Rotella 10w-30 has seemed to fix the problem. Never again will SuperTech oil be put in my crankcase.

Rob
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Coche Blanco
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Strange. I run Supertech in mine with no problems. :dunno

Glad you fixed it at least!
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Shinrin
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Supertech is a fine oil, when it's good. Like anything it breaks down and gets contaminated. A bit faster than other oils. It's walmarts oil yet we have never offered it in the shop.
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