Hey, I have an 04 TL wagon and upon starting it (especially on a cold day) there's usually a noticeable rattling sound from the engine bay that goes for around 2 minutes or so before it quiets down into the normal engine sound. Is this normal?

I don't remember this always happening and I'm thinking it's an oil issue. I don't even know what oil was being put into it before around 6 months ago when I decided to put in 10w-30 Repco branded oil (as recommended by Repco).

The car has done around 115,000 k's.

What do you think? Is the description too vague? I can post a video if need be.

Cheers.

edit: here's a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8OJNo97alc

Doesn't sound more like ticking does it? The lifters normally go however when the oil works its way into them they normally get quieter. If the car has been well maintained a quality flush and some good oil like Penrite HPR10 will sometimes see that go away otherwise you will be needing the dissemble the rocker arms and shaft, clean them thoroughly, clean what ever lifters can be salvaged and replace the ones that cannot.

Yep in addition to a bit of rattling there is also ticking. Alright, so you're recommending a flush pretty immediately then?

One thing to be careful with, with engine flush, is sometimes you have a leak, however its not leaking, why? Because carbon and sludge deposits are actually blocking the hole preventing oil leaking which in a way is a good thing from the ignorance is bliss side of things, but ethically its a bad thing. Flush will remove these deposits but people will then complain that there car was leaking less oil before they flush it. However if the motor has been well maintained then generally a flush is good, I use Liqui Moly engine flush, what this does is help clear out the rocker shaft, arms and lifters and allows oil to flow into them more efficiently = no noise.

However some lifters/tappet/hla's (everyone calls them different things) are no good so they need to be replaced, a rocker arm has 2 tappets, both must be replaced at the same time and a good price is about $8, when you replace them I recommend pumping them in diesel prior to allow them to be full prior to putting them back in the motor, while you are pulling it all apart its a good time to get some pipe cleaners and diesel and clean the shaft and arms at the same time.

So to answer your question a quality flush and quality oil should be the first port of call.

This has been covered many times, usually is pre tensioner. Is common

If you get noise shut down, count to 10 and if no noise on start up then is pre tensioner

Also ignore this crap about oil leaks from flushes. If oil leaks show up then should be fixed anyway

Also ignore this crap about oil leaks from flushes. If oil leaks show up then should be fixed anyway

Hardly crap, you have heard people complaining about this have you not?

Im just giving the OP the heads up, I know where I stand on it (if it needs fixing fix it), but I feel its right to let people know that they do have options.

Ouch, yes I have heard people complaining about this I have....I also dont like green eggs and ham but it does not mean that either are an issue

Fact, most of the people who come to this workshop who have been told on this forum that their lash adjusters are buggered actually have buggered timing belt tensioners. I have changed 3 of these in the last 2 days. 1 of those 3 people booked in for a set of lash adjusters based on information gained by reading old posts on this forum.

Fact, buggered lash adjusters will NOT generally shut up after car has been shut off for a moment and re started, that is the pre tensioner

Fact, if you have an oil leak not flushing will not fix that leak, it "MAY" hide it for a short while but even an oil change can often make that leak appear.

Fact, if you try and mask an oil leak then when it does eventually go it will be a lot worse and cost more to fix.

So at the end of the day, flushes do NOT cause oil leaks, worn parts cause oil leaks and masking those oil leaks will not make them go away. What it will do is cause that motor to suddenly pop a really bad leak all of a sudden which could cause much more serious issues.

So Madmagna, you don't think this is necessarily an issue?

By the way there is an oil leak, I was told that the rocker cover gasket needs replacing at last service.

I would say is a huge issue especially if this rattles when warm. I have seen these sheer off the swing arm bolt when left for too long.

Try the method I suggest to everyone, start the car, if you hear the rattle shut down, count to 10 and then restart the motor. If rattle is gone is the pre tensioner. Get it replaced with a genuine unit.

Rocker cover gaskets will not cause this but if leaking do need replacing. What out for what you are quoted as well as some places can really charge to do these

Ouch, yes I have heard people complaining about this I have....I also dont like green eggs and ham but it does not mean that either are an issue

Fact, most of the people who come to this workshop who have been told on this forum that their lash adjusters are buggered actually have buggered timing belt tensioners. I have changed 3 of these in the last 2 days. 1 of those 3 people booked in for a set of lash adjusters based on information gained by reading old posts on this forum.

Fact, buggered lash adjusters will NOT generally shut up after car has been shut off for a moment and re started, that is the pre tensioner

Fact, if you have an oil leak not flushing will not fix that leak, it "MAY" hide it for a short while but even an oil change can often make that leak appear.

Fact, if you try and mask an oil leak then when it does eventually go it will be a lot worse and cost more to fix.

So at the end of the day, flushes do NOT cause oil leaks, worn parts cause oil leaks and masking those oil leaks will not make them go away. What it will do is cause that motor to suddenly pop a really bad leak all of a sudden which could cause much more serious issues.

In no way am I debating what you think it could be, im just letting the op know if it does come time to do an oil change and he does opt to use flush it could open his/her eyes to a leak, I also suggested its not the fault of the flush. I never said your method would cause the lash adjusters to shut up, just that a flush and better oil may help, if it were the adjusters, which I did hear from you. I was just asking a question based on an experience I have had and fixed.

Perhaps I should not reply to any thread in order to try to help, leave more for you? I thought forums were here for that though?

Op, if the rocker cover gaskets are leaking the rear one will normally cost you and arm and a leg however its not really a great deal of work so you can save your self quite a bit of money by doing this yourself, however if you dont want to remove the inlet manifold again for a long time, its a good idea to do the spark plug seals, spark plugs and the leads all at the same time.

Hey guys, here's a video to clarify the issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8OJNo97alc

Madmagna: Thanks for the info. As I said, the rattling stops after around 2 minutes. Although I will turn the engine off once it stops, restart it and see if it's still gone. Can you please message me with a quote for the pretensioner job?

Thanks everyone for the input, much appreciated as always.

I will also be taking it to my local repairer for their opinion (and quote) and will post back.

Geez thats a nasty one hope its not too painful to fix.

I couldnt hear any ticking through the other noise which is a good thing.

Going by just the video, it's def a can of dried corn peas sitting on the l/h rocker cover.

If not, possibly pre-tensioner. Check the can first as that's a cheaper fix!!