Tapping sound while idling after the oil change...

Topic: Tapping sound while idling after the oil change... (Read 2359 times) previous topic - next topic

Tapping sound while idling after the oil change...

June 20, 2006, 01:37:39 PM

Hello again!
Seems I've no luck lately. Today I've changed the oil in my T-bird after about 3500 miles. Used the same oil as ussual.
I started the engine and it's making a strange tapping sound now! It's audible while idling, not so audible under load (with gear engaged) and you won't hear it if slightly revv the engine up.
Any ideas what it may be? Shot bearings? :(
Thanks in advance for any ideas!
Mariusz...

Tapping sound while idling after the oil change...

Reply #1 – June 20, 2006, 02:06:56 PM

Sounds like a valve. When you changed your oil you could have dislodged some varnish which is causing the valve to stick. May have to do another oil change/cleaning to remedy it further.

I know it has nothing to do with the oil change but an exhaust leak can make a similar sound. Eliminate the exhaust leak as the problem by listening to each cylinder at the manifold using a tube (or a stethoscope if you have it). If it's an exhaust leak you will really hear it when you get to the spot.

Good luck.

Tapping sound while idling after the oil change...

Reply #2 – June 20, 2006, 02:14:36 PM

Do you think it may disappear or get quieter after a few miles of driving?
What are the differences between valve and bearings sound?
What are the symptons and sounds of bad bearing anyway? When the sound of shot bearing appear? Does it change with engine rpm? Would the oil pressure be lower with shot bearing? It would be good to know for future.

Tapping sound while idling after the oil change...

Reply #3 – June 20, 2006, 03:13:14 PM

It sounds more like a rocker or lifter noise to me...my car does it after every oil change for a little while, then goes away. If it goes away under a load, I would doubt it's a bearing or an exhaust leak.

Tapping sound while idling after the oil change...

Reply #4 – June 20, 2006, 10:53:16 PM

If you used a Fram (orange can of death!) filter, I'll bet ya that is the problem. Fram used to make a good filter, but now they are nothing but junk!

My wife thought she was doing me a favor last year when she took my '88 and had the oil changed, but the shop(?) used a Fram filter and you should have heard that poor 3.8 when I started it up. Needless to say that filter stayed on the engine for less than an hour after she brought it back!

Tapping sound while idling after the oil change...

Reply #5 – June 21, 2006, 01:18:54 AM

I'm always using a German Knecht filters and never had any problems with them. Fram isn't available here.
I'll see how it is in the morning. Maybe it will heal itself?
If it will be still audible I'll record the sound and post it here.

Tapping sound while idling after the oil change...

Reply #6 – June 21, 2006, 01:48:26 AM

a valve train noise from the upper half of the engine will make a sound similair in frequency to you taking a coin and tappng it on the fender of your car.

a bearing sound would be more agressive sounding than the valve train.

if its a v6,, there is a proportioning valve in the timing cover with a spring thing a ma jig. Ive often wondered about this piece part but no one ever talks about it getting jamed up. Maybe yours is, I would highly highly suggest you go to the parts store and purchase an after market oil guage. They are cheap. Remove your oil sending unit and screw in the fitting where the sender was. Start the car and take and actual oil presure reading before you jump to conclusions. I bought this kit and now it hangs on the shop wall as a tool.

Tapping sound while idling after the oil change...

Reply #7 – June 21, 2006, 01:51:27 AM

Quote from: Shevretti

I'm always using a German Knecht filters and never had any problems with them.
Quote

thats because "made in germany" still means something here in america,,, quality goes a long way:D

Tapping sound while idling after the oil change...

Reply #8 – June 21, 2006, 12:34:32 PM

A proportioning valve? What is it and what does it do?
I've changed the oil again today. It's been running on 5W30 and now I have Valvoline MaxLife 10W40 (American this time :)). The sound is still there!
I've visited my friend's engine and suspension shop. Three of his mechanics were listening to my engine and they dunno what it is! It's not a valvetrain for sure. It doesn't sound like bearing. Oil pressure is normal even on very hot engine.
Any ideas? Most guys suspect timing components... maybe a proportioning valve you mentioned? The sound is comming from the front center of the engine. Car runs strong and smooth as it used to.
There is one more thing I thought about today. I heard that sound before! After the previous oil change I could hear that sound if the engine lowered it's speed under 600/500rpm when cold, but than it was gone!
Now it's more audible under 500/600rpm, and not audible over 700rpm. It's almost gone on gear and you can't hear it while driving.
My description sounds like a riddle, sorry!
Do you have any good sectional view drawings of 1987 3.8 V6?
If you do, please e-mail me at: mariusz@lovefords.net
Thanks in advance!

Tapping sound while idling after the oil change...

Reply #9 – June 21, 2006, 01:28:04 PM

Just get a 5.0/5.8 shipped over to ya. Problem Solved! :hick:

Tapping sound while idling after the oil change...

Reply #10 – June 21, 2006, 01:32:44 PM

Quote from: Carl

Just get a 5.0/5.8 shipped over to ya. Problem Solved! :hick:

Do you know any volunteers to give me a nice V8 engine and pay for the shipping? :hick: :rollin:

Tapping sound while idling after the oil change...

Reply #11 – June 21, 2006, 01:50:04 PM

Haha not really, I think money is all of our problem on this board. :hick:

Tapping sound while idling after the oil change...

Reply #12 – June 21, 2006, 02:00:41 PM

Let's get back to reality. I like the 3.8 becouse of fuel economy. I don't need a fast car so it's great for me.
That noise is the main concern for me now. I dunno what's wrong, why it got worse after the oil cange?

Tapping sound while idling after the oil change...

Reply #13 – June 21, 2006, 08:15:49 PM

It could be that your oil isnt high enough, but I doubt it. Specially after the oil change. I had a car that did that same thing and it ended up being a bad lifter.

Tapping sound while idling after the oil change...

Reply #14 – June 21, 2006, 10:35:07 PM

Could be a sticky lifter - in fact that's what it likely is. When the oil was changed there would have been a brief moment when the car was first started that there would have been no oil pressure, and this may have caused a lifter to collapse. The noise might go away after some driving, or it might stay there forever. Regardless, if it's a noisey lifter don't be too concerned, as it won't hurt the engine.

Top end (valvetrain, including the lifters) noise can be identified because you'll be able to hear the individual "tap"s. This is because the camshaft and valvetrain only operates at half of the engine RPM. Bottom end noise is usually more like a rattle because it is double the frequency of valvetrain noise.

The "proportioning valve" that jcassity refers to is actually a pressure release valve, to prevent the oil pressure from going to high. If there is a blockage or somthing that causes the oil pressure to spike the valve is there to prevent you from blowing the oil filter off. It shouldn't cause low oil pressure. You've verified oil pressure is OK, so that's moot anyway :D

Another thing it could be is a front accessory or the belt that drives them. A chunk of belt missing can sound remarkably like an engine noise.

I'm placing my bets on a sluggish lifter, though.