VT V6 Knocking when engine is cold.

[NickHidro]

Hey guys, I'm having an issue with my ecotec VT where there is quite an apparent knocking noise when started cold. The noise pretty much completely goes away with there only being possibly a slight noise if you really concentrate after about 30 seconds. At first I thought it could be something to with the accessories belt tensioner, however I ran the engine without the belt on and it was still definitely there.

Does anyone have an idea of what could be going on or has had the same issue in the past?

Cheers for any help.

 

[The1]

is the oil light ON while it's happening?

 

[dirty hands]

noise ... there with belt off...... rules out a lot of other possibles

got eneough oil on the dippy

when was it last serviced and how many KM

 

[Wozza]

if the knock/noise isnt to loud, then it may just be a leaky lifter that is taking a little while to pump up when cold.....both my VR and the missus VX do it

 

[NickHidro]

noise ... there with belt off...... rules out a lot of other possibles

got eneough oil on the dippy

when was it last serviced and how many KM

There's enough oil however there's also an oil leak at the left rocker cover, could that perhaps be something to do with it? Engine has 325000 ks on it and last had an oil/filter change in February so definitely in need of one very soon, but I've only put around 3000ks on in since then so I don't think the oil is horrendously bad.

 

[NickHidro]

if the knock/noise isnt to loud, then it may just be a leaky lifter that is taking a little while to pump up when cold.....both my VR and the missus VX do it

I was thinking that before but I've done the old screw driver to the ear trick and had a listen around the engine and strangely it seems to be most pronounced directly in the middle where thermostat sits.

 

[NickHidro]

is the oil light ON while it's happening?

No warning lights to speak of.

 

[NickHidro]

I've uploaded a couple of videos to youtube of the noise hot and cold.

This is when the engine is running cold:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhiRosWNht8

This is when the engine is hot after maybe half an hour of driving:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm2LvNATMQc

There's 325000ks on the thing so there's obviously going to be some old car noises there but let me know what you guys think of the knock noise.

 

[wrx884]

when u do the oil change next stick ur finger in the sump hole afters its drained and try touch the bottom and see if u can feel any sludge build up on the bottom? These sumps are a **** design and u always get left with almost 10mm of oil left on the bottom every change unless u jack up the car on funny angles to get more of it out. Could be the sludge blocking the pick up enough to not let the oil get to the lifters quick enough until its thinned and warmed up a bit.

 

[dirty hands]

most pronounced directly in the middle where thermostat sits

could be typical of a high km motor

what W oil rating are you using synth or mineral ..


leaky rocker cover gasket is not knock related

when running hot . i didnt hear a knock but i can hear idler pulley noises