Noise at Idle... could be lifters?? Suggestions??

[asudds]

I have a noise at idle on the 924S. just noticed it recently. Once I load the engine the noise goes away (ie. let out the clutch part way with foot on the brake). Just wondering if anyone had any input.

Aaron
atsudds@cogeco.ca

[ronin]

what does the noise sound like?

[carsontc]

I had a noisy lifter whenever started the engine cold…lasted about 10 seconds.

when the car was not run for several months the noisy lifter wouldn’t quiet down for about 30 minutes

then I thought I would try this ATF flush from Juvy…

Originally posted by AFJuvat
...If you are just going to idle the engine for about 30 minutes, you can go as high as 50/50 oil\atf.

Drain out the oil\ATF, notice how black and nasty is it. I jack up the drivers side a little bit to help get as much of the old oil out as I can - let it drain for a good 30 minutes or so.

Change the filter, put your expensive synthetic back in, top off.

AFJuvat

I went a little over the top of course…I bought cheap ATF & oil and I already had a 10 pack of filters

first I drained the oil and refilled with 50/50…idled for 30 minutes and drained oil for 30 minutes (unbelievable what it looked like) and changed the filter

then I did it all again…still a little dirty…no filter change this time

then I did a flush with only regular oil…drained for 30 minutes and another new filter

then refilled with Mobil ‘Delvac 1’ synthetic (not the Delvac 1300) 5W-40 heavy duty “super premium” motor oil (made for fleet cars, gasoline and diesel…inboard marine yadda, yadda)

I have driven just over 2500 miles (1500 on turnpikes) and the dipstick is clean AND still reads near FULL

oh, and within the last 1000 miles the cold engine ticking for 10 seconds has disappeared!! this is GREAT oil…must have some good detergents as well…have a read:

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXE2CVLMOMobilDelvac1_5W-40.asp

[SoCal Driver]

Mahl filters have the check valve that keeps the oil from draining back. This is what stops the noisy lifters during the first few seconds of engine startup.

There are Mahl filters in the market that are NOT Mahl filters. Especially if you buy them by the case off of eBay.

[carsontc]

the most recent filters I bought was a 10 pack off eBay and are "Mahle OC 142 made in Austria" and look the same as all the others I've ever used including the check valve that is visible

naa..these appear to be the real thing...but how can I be sure?

now “Mahl” filters..yeah, I would stay away from

[ronin]

Originally posted by carsontc

now “Mahl” filters..yeah, I would stay away from

Lol, definitely

How about Bosch filters? I've been using them for years and they seem to do pretty well. How do they compare to the Mahles?

[SoCal Driver]

If your lifters clatter at start up for a few seconds then you haven't been mahled! malled? mauld?

Need to get a German spelling checker.

[asudds]

The sound has not gone away, there is noise at start up as well as at idle after a 30minute + drive. I am using stock Porsche filters from the dealer.

Aaron

[asudds]

This thing is sounding like an Old K-Car!!! damn how embarassing

[ronin]

what grade of fuel are you using?

[SoCal Driver]

If the car has had a valve job done the mech could have put the lifters back in the wrong places.

Or not adjusted the stem heights.

Or both.

Or the lifters could be collapsed. Blown or dirty check valve inside. Then the ATF trick is one of the means of clearing a dirty lifter.

[asudds]

I am using 87 octane, has always been fine in the 924S (speced for 86)... Sounds like a lifter though, near the front of the engine close to the Distributor. Man, what a sound... Once loaded in gear at idle with the clutch out, or when on the road all quites down... I hope it is just sticking, I have had the valve cover off 2X in the last year just for oil leaks... I would be upset to have to remove it again... at that time all looked well, and lifters went back into the same spots both times...

Additionally it doesn't go away after being run... I will try some stuff my dad uses on customers cars to quiet down noisey lifters called Valve Medic before I drive to Detroit... I will get a good 45min run each way and see if it makes a difference.

BTW, runs fine, no misses or loss of power... hope someone else has had a similar expereince

Aaron
Windsor

[asudds]

Help please... any other suggestions????

[asudds]

I think I may have isolated it to a valve lifter for Cyl 1 right behind the Distributor... Anyone have any other suggestions of what it may be that is making the niose in that area???

It is Very Loud and may be so loud my dad thinks it may be a rod slap or a piston. but the sound seems to be eminating from up higher. Why all of a sudden would this happen??

Aaron

[asudds]

FYI all plugs look good and the car seems to be running fine... Just VERY loud

[ronin]

man, this is almost one of those situations where you just have to be there to hear it in person. And you're sure it's coming directly from the cylinder and not the distributor?

[SoCal Driver]

Loose cam gear.

[asudds]

I will try the ATF trick tomorrow, I have a short run to make in the AM then it will be time to get greasy in the PM... the joys of P-Cars as daily drivers...

Aaron

[ronin]

Originally posted by SoCal Driver
Loose cam gear.

that's kinda where I was heading

[mart78]

They guys that did my timing belt (yeah, because I had $ and no time on my 924) were talking to me RE: valve adj. etc. while they had the head off. I got what we all agreed is a slightly out of tune valve. It is kind of that clicking...but at speed is not audible for obvious reasons.

Your situation seems like a progressive thing.

BTW I had them replace my cam gear as well. Funny thing was is that this is a VW shop and no one had books/new how to adjust valves that seemed to be pressure, but had no pins. So the valves never got adj. But the sound has not progressed so I'm not sweating it at this time.

Can you move any pulleys or feel any looseness on anything up front?