This is my first post here (great forum btw)

Blew the head gasket on my old Camry last week so went out and bought myself a 93 Magna (2.6 auto) which is in reasonably good nick (or so it seemed!).

I've come to notice that after the engine's been running about 10 mins there is a ticking/rattling noise coming from it. I thought it might be the tappets so i gave it an oil change but it's still the same. Now i'm starting to think it might be the dreaded timing chain!: cry:

My question is, if it is the timing chain rattling should it not do it constantly and not just after the engine has heated up? It's done 134,000km so i guess it should be done but i've heard some ppl say they can last up to 200,000km. I'm hoping its the tappets as i believe its not so big a job. :doubt:

Has anyone had this problem before? Any help would be appreciated :)

Hi & welcome mate.

Unfortunately these engines are notorious for having oil pressure problems.

If its tappets, generally its a loud 'ticking' sound and is intermittent as they pump up and release pressure. (ie, buildup -sound getting louder, louder, sound dropps off. start process again). Timing chain will be a constant rattling sound, and may stop once you rev the motor up above 1500+rpm.

Just out of curiosity, what oil did you use?

I used gtx3 15w 40. Do you think maybe i should use 20w 50? Like i said the noise only starts once the engine heats up although it seems to be only at idle, seems to quieten with a rev.

Maybe it is an oil pressure problem causing the timing chain tensioner not to work properly?




Hi & welcome mate.

Unfortunately these engines are notorious for having oil pressure problems.

If its tappets, generally its a loud 'ticking' sound and is intermittent as they pump up and release pressure. (ie, buildup -sound getting louder, louder, sound dropps off. start process again). Timing chain will be a constant rattling sound, and may stop once you rev the motor up above 1500+rpm.

Just out of curiosity, what oil did you use?

I used gtx3 15w 40. Do you think maybe i should use 20w 50? Like i said the noise only starts once the engine heats up although it seems to be only at idle, seems to quieten with a rev.

Maybe it is an oil pressure problem causing the timing chain tensioner not to work properly?

Seeing as you used a -40 oil, it 'may' be possible that it is too thin at operating temperature. Try a thicker oil -50 or higher (also might be a good idea to add some oil stabiliser, moreys is ok for price).

It's funny.. because i seem to have the same problem atm. And my timing chain was replaced 10,000kms ago. :doubt: So yeh, leads me to think oil pressure is bad, although mine rattles constantly after warmup... not dependant on rpm.

Thanks for the replies FiReStOrM :) .

I'll try an engine flush and oil change with the stabiliser. Hope it works, i really want to get to the bottom of this as i just got the car & don't want any nasty big repair jobs any time soon :doubt:

Let me know if you get to the bottom of your prob, i'll do the same mate :cool:


Seeing as you used a -40 oil, it 'may' be possible that it is too thin at operating temperature. Try a thicker oil -50 or higher (also might be a good idea to add some oil stabiliser, moreys is ok for price).

It's funny.. because i seem to have the same problem atm. And my timing chain was replaced 10,000kms ago. :doubt: So yeh, leads me to think oil pressure is bad, although mine rattles constantly after warmup... not dependant on rpm.

Thanks for the replies FiReStOrM :) .

I'll try an engine flush and oil change with the stabiliser. Hope it works, i really want to get to the bottom of this as i just got the car & don't want any nasty big repair jobs any time soon :doubt:

Let me know if you get to the bottom of your prob, i'll do the same mate :cool:

No probs mate! Good luck, and post up your results when done. :D I'm interested...