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[zepikeno]

A few weeks ago my x30xe started to make some strange noises just after getting warm...
It's a moderated hammering, usually  five or eight minutes after firing the engine the first time of the day while it warms up. As I said It runs smoothly for about five or eight minutes, and then (just "some" times) it makes a noise louder then the normal healthy expected noise. In the past 7 or 8 days started to make this sound more times during the day, eventually it makes after the warmup while driving slowly, which will stop in a minute or less!


A day ago, I heard it louder then the usual, right after starting the engine... no oil pressure light at the dashboard, oil level at maximum and in perfect conditions. When it starts to make "the" noise, if I acelerate it fades away while rpm backs to normall it can be heard again and it will stop in a minute as I said.

When it gets really hot a metalic noise can be heard but almost unperceptible, like tchi tchi tchi with diferent and more or less long times between the tchi tchi.

I'm considering repair the engine but my mechanic it says that is nothing worry! In his opinion it simply doesn't deserve attention. Well, I believe his mechanic days, are over

Anyway, this hammering thing can be an hydraulic lifter, but i guess it's a bit strange because it never makes the hammering thing right after startup with could engine in the "morning"!!! After a long night, the lifter could lose the oil pressure and at the mourning starts to make noise while oil pressure gets to normal...

Almost forgot to mention than a metalic noise a bit different from the thci tchi, can be heard while driving very slow which i belive it cames from transmission or automatic gearbox.

Please help!

I will try to record the sound and put it live on youtube or something...
Thanks

[WGoins88]

Has the oil cooler ever been replaced? Oil cooler failures is what kill(ed) most Cateras here in the US. They fail and people ignore them, and it eventually kills the engine. These engines are fairly robust... but when the oil cooler goes, that's it.

And does it really have maximum oil pressure, meaning the gauge is pegged? That usually signifies a bottom end failure... or something like that. I remember having high oil pressure in a car I had one time, and it had a terrible knock.

[zepikeno]

Thank you for answer, you're probably right it must be oil pressure very high, I can see some oil leaks in several places it can be related right?

So what will be the repair procedure, will I have to replace the oil cooler or can be clean with any additive? Should I replace just the oil cooler or oil pump too?

[TheBoy]

If its a European car, check the corrogated EGR pipe.

Also, definately worth checking cambelt!

[Elite Pete]

Its not going to be the oil cooler. When the oil cooler leaks it will fill the cooling system with oil and you will be able to see it in the coolant bottle plus the car will soon overheat. Has the car been well serviced and oil changed at regular intervals, if not the lifters could be blocked and a couple of quick oil and filter changes might sort it    

[Kevin Wood]

If you've got knocking noises and the oil pressure light is coming on under any circumstances you have low oil pressure, IMHO.

I wouldn't drive it until you get to the bottom of this, as it won't be doing it any good at all.

Oil pickup strainer would be worth a check for debris, as would the oil pressure relief valve. While the sump's off, I would pop each of the big ends off to see if there is bearing damage.

Kevin

[zepikeno]

I will check EGR pipe, cambelt, and big end bearing. It might have very little oil drops in water tank but it's hard to be sure, most probably no oil on water, I guess cooling fluid it's a bit dirty... I will change the  cooling fluid, oil and filter... perhaps adding some additive to clean the oil circuit before the clean oil?!? And yes the car is European... Portuguese and in very bad shape sadly, I bought it in 3º or 4º hand. Spent more than 3000€ in parts! It doesn't overheat. Oil leaks can be related to rocker cover defects and I belive o'rings oil sensor too. oil pressure light is ok all the time, after fireup the engine goes off... I will check right now thank you all

[Kevin Wood]

Apologies. I read that the oil pressure light had come on.

In that case, it sounds more like it could be lifters. I'd try a couple of short oil changes and maybe some lifter treatment before going any further.

Coolant change will be worthwhile if the history is unknown, but if the oil cooler fails, you will see clear signs of oil contamination in the header tank.

Kevin

[Debs.]

A slightly-blowing exhaust manifold gasket can produce some unnerving sounds at varying temps/revs.

[zepikeno]

What about the oil sensor warning, is it normal even with oil at maximum warn some times?

Usualy if the oil level gets slightly bellow the maximum the oil sensor will warn me all the time. To avoid this it must be filled up maximum all the time.

Next thursday, I will check timing belt and corrugated EGR pipe as well other little things with mechanic.

What do you recommend to protect engine, is there any thing better than slick 50?
Will the 5w40 engine oil be ok under Portugal climate?

Thanks in advance.

[zepikeno]

In between, the engine temperature started to get very hot particulary when stops in traffic. I believe it's related with termostat or water-pump issues! My guess goes with termostat. I believe is not able to open sufficent, bringing troubles to water pressure while opening which takes between 20" and 60". Tomorrow, I will check everything.

Cheers

[zepikeno]

The mechanic as checked:

water-pump - not good! Will be changed...
Termostat - not good! Will be changed...
Liquid Cooler - Not good - will be changed...
Timing belt - ok
Oil and filter will be changed...
Cooling system will be cleaned...
Spark Plugs - will be changed by iridium NGK

Let's wait till next week...