I've been noticing a clicking/tapping noise from the engine that I hear mostly when the car is cold. I don't know if it's a wrist pin, lifter, timing belt, or what. The engine is stock with 93k miles on it (2003 VIII), is there any MO to sort out the cause?

 

liffter and valve noise.. pretty notorious problem with the 4g63

 

I have heard this a lot on my DSMs, it is common. Try changing your oil and play with different weights (a little thicker/thinner) and see if it helps.

Does it go away when warm? I just let my DSM warm up a few minutes and it isn't as loud.

 

I would try this also. When I used to run Valvoline, at about 2500 miles the oil would break down and get lots of lifter noise. Change the oil and it would go away.
Do you run synthetic?

 

my guess would be lifters

 

absolutely normal.

notorious on 4g63's.

 

I have the same problem. Is there any way to quiet the engine down? I change my oil fairly often and it doesnt help.

 

Hmm maybe this is the sound ive been hearing as well. I thought it was something loose in the engine bay but this makes sense too.

 

When the 4g63 is quiet...thats a problem believe it or not

 

i have the same issue...never knew what it was. Every time I had taken the car in to get a tech to listen...it wasn't there anymore (because it was warm already).

 

try some bg moa oil addive, i use it on mine and it helps alot.

 

try using amsoil oil or mobil1 EP oil.... they certainly helped calm the noise a bit.

 

Yup I agree. Completely normal. Mine does this as well since I've had the car.

 

DO NOT use any oil additives..... They degrade the oil.

If you think you need an additive, you need a better oil !!

Yes, these engines are notorious for tappet noise. But, if you don't notice the noise as much after an oil change, it is also a sign of oil shear.

Going to a higher viscosity oil may help, but it comes with it's own set of problems. Cooler temps will mean harder starting. It causes a loss of HP and Fuel Mileage and an increase in oil temps. It also has another problem with a turbo. If you are running the stock turbo and oil supply line, you could cause oil starvation. The oil supply line is an overlooked maintenance item as the oil cokes inside of it restricting flow.

I would try using AMSOIL 10W-30, either ATM or the New Racing oil RD-30. You could go up one Viscosity grade to AMO 10W-40, but would not go any higher than that.

Doc

 

i have the same noise coming from my engine . i thought it was lifters ticking .i ran mobile 1 full synthetic,switched to royal purple.noise is still there but not quite as bad.i would suggest royal purple.