valve noice just after start engine

[JRTUPIN]

Hello;

I'm french and my english is not very good; so i'm sorry for my poor vocabulary.

I'm a new owner of a V8 ESPRIT.

The car is very well; but there is something that makes me anxious.

Indeed; just after the engine star; i can ear a metalic noice for 15 seconds long .After that; the noice stops and the engine runs well.

I think that the noice comes from one or more valves.

My french dealer says do not worried about this noice; it's because the hydrolic valve system needs time to be in good pressure.

Does someone knows this effect and can confirm that ?

Thank you for help

JR

Edited August 30, 2007 by JR.TUPIN

[peter_england99]

Is your oil pressure ok when you drive (should be: 1.4 bar at idle, 2.4bar at 3500rpm, 3.1bar at 6500rpm)?

I'm assuming that the noise isn't the fuel pump that runs for a few seconds when you turn the ignition key.

Regards,

Peter.

[JRTUPIN]

I'm sure that the noice isn't due to fuel pump.

The metalic noice (tac-tac-tac..) quickly desappeares after 15 seconds after start engine.

I'm assuming that the noice is due to a lack of pressure in valve system ( hydrolic tappet ...).

In this website i can read that this noice has ever been eared; but not sytematically on each star engine.

When i have bought this car ( in february 2007) this noice didn't exist. It has appeared last month.It happens each time when the engine is cold.

I can't see any oil leak in the engine

I don't have anything to mesure pressure oil

Don't you have an idear

[outtamyway]

Hello;

I'm french and my english is not very good; so i'm sorry for my poor vocabulary.

I'm a new owner of a V8 ESPRIT.

The car is very well; but there is something that makes me anxious.

Indeed; just after the engine star; i can ear a metalic noice for 15 seconds long .After that; the noice stops and the engine runs well.

I think that the noice comes from one or more valves.

My french dealer says do not worried about this noice; it's because the hydrolic valve system needs time to be in good pressure.

Does someone knows this effect and can confirm that ?

Thank you for help

JR

The hydraulic lifters are the source of the noise. It appears that it is pretty common on the Esprit as I have the same noise. It is more apparant on my car if it sits for a long period. Having low viscosity synthetic oil it seems to drain out of the upper parts of the engine

and therefore it takes a few seconds to build the oil pressure back up to lubricate the lifters. If it really bothers you could look into

installing a preoiler or an accumulator. I have been looking at this company in the states

http://www.streetortrack.com/Accusump-Preo...ries-c-453.html

In the meantime I wouldn't be too concerned unless the noise doesn't stop which would probably indicate a failing lifter.

Here is a previous thread on the subject: http://www.lotusespritforum.com/forums/ind...oise+on+startup

Edited August 30, 2007 by outtamyway

[Paula&Marcus]

Hello JR,

Yes this noise is pretty common with some Esprits and actually it comes from the hydraulic valve tappets.

The more frequent you use your Esprit the less you will hear this noise right after startup.

It also is very much dependent on the engine oil type you are using.

When did you do your last oil+filter change and what oil exactly did you use ?

Cheers

Marcus

Hello;

I'm french and my english is not very good; so i'm sorry for my poor vocabulary.

I'm a new owner of a V8 ESPRIT.

The car is very well; but there is something that makes me anxious.

Indeed; just after the engine star; i can ear a metalic noice for 15 seconds long .After that; the noice stops and the engine runs well.

I think that the noice comes from one or more valves.

My french dealer says do not worried about this noice; it's because the hydrolic valve system needs time to be in good pressure.

Does someone knows this effect and can confirm that ?

Thank you for help

JR

[joeyoesprit]

If mine sits for more than 5 days I hear the sound after starting. Usually it only last a few seconds. I think the sound is normal. My solution was to drive the car more!!

Here is the oil information directly from the main lotus web page

http://www.grouplotus.com/car/car_aftsales...&page_id=38

Engine Oil

In order to ensure the longevity and reliability of the vehicle, it

is most important that only the specified lubricants are used. It is

an entirely false economy to try to save money by using lower quality

oils, which may degade before the next change interval and provide

inadequate protection before the end of the term. High oil

consumption may also result.

The engine is factory filled with a top quality mineral oil to be

used during the running-in period until the After Sales Service. Once

running-in has been completed, it is considered that fully synthetic

engine oils represent the best value in terms of fuel economy and

wear protection. A multigrade oil is designated with a low

temperature viscosity grade (first number with `W' for winter)

followed by a high temperature viscosity grade. Oils with low cold

viscosity, offer benefits in terms of fuel economy, ease of cranking

and starting, and cold run protection. Oils with high hot viscosity

offer increased protection at high temperatures and high rpm.

For the `Mk.1' and `Mk.2' Elise:

Choose a multigrade oil with viscosity in the following range:

Cold viscosity; 0 - 20W

Hot viscosity; 50 - 60

For use in temperate climates, Lotus specifically recommends the

following fully synthetic

products:

- Mobil 1 Motorsport 15W/50

- Castrol Formula RS 10W/60

For use in extreme cold climates, choose an oil with a low

temperature viscosity of 0W.

For the Elise 111R/Exige `Mk.2'/USA Elise:

These models have been tested in all climatic conditions likely to be

encountered with Texaco Havoline Synthetic 5W/40 oil which offers

advantages in ease of cranking, smooth cold running and fuel economy

at low temperatures, in combination with good wear protection at

elevated temperatures and at high engine speeds. However, if a car is

to be driven on track at maximum effort, or in conditions or a manner

likely to result in very high oil temperatures being achieved, the

engine oil should be changed for Castrol Formula RS 10W/60.

Lotus 900 series 4 cylinder engines and V8:

Choose a multigrade oil with viscosity in the following range:

Cold viscosity; 0 - 15W

Hot viscosity; 40 - 60

Lotus specifically recommends Mobil 1 Motorsport 15W/50, and Castrol

Formula RS 10W/60.

In all cases, the oil quality grades which should be met are either

European standard ACEA A3, American standard API SL/CF, SJ/CF, or

international standard ILSAC GF-3. Check that this is printed on the

oil container. For further information, refer to your Owner's

Handbook.

I've been running 15W50 Mobil 1 since new... without a problem.

JoeyO

2001 V8

Edited August 30, 2007 by joeyoesprit

[JRTUPIN]

Thank you for all your explanations

I'm reassured about this sound.I make the conclusion that my Esprit is in perfect order.It just makes curious noice when it is cold..

Bye

JR

[JRTUPIN]

Hello;

There is still something that let me anxious.

Indeed; the tappets's noice appears each time I let the engine off more than 4 hours.In that case ( 4 hours only) the noice is very short (2 or 3 seconds); but is here.

It's clearly shorter that all i can read in yours coments.

Oil( mobil 5w-50)and filter have less than 6 months;I can't believe that it's time to change it

What do you think about ?

JR

[Rob C]

Hello;

I'm french and my english is not very good; so i'm sorry for my poor vocabulary.

I'm a new owner of a V8 ESPRIT.

The car is very well; but there is something that makes me anxious.

Indeed; just after the engine star; i can ear a metalic noice for 15 seconds long .After that; the noice stops and the engine runs well.

I think that the noice comes from one or more valves.

My french dealer says do not worried about this noice; it's because the hydrolic valve system needs time to be in good pressure.

Does someone knows this effect and can confirm that ?

Thank you for help

JR

Another noise one can hear with the V8, when cold for a short time can be the CAM Belts being Loose. they have to be checked evry 12000 miles..suggest you check your service history to make sure its been done...I had this issue with noise at start up..It was the Cam Belts...Loose..long time ago now on my last V8 Esprit..in 1998..Factory paid to get them re-adjusted then, as it was the time when the service data was being updated.

[MGFCrasher]

I agree with Rob,worth checking the cam belts.

I fired mine up after 3 weeks or so last weekend and it had a tapping noise for a few minutes.Once I had warned it up and started/stopped the engine again, it went.

The next day ...no noise.

I think the fact is that these engines need to be used.Mines done 26k in 7 years now,200 miles in the last 10 months ,no wonder its a bit sticky !!!

When I used her every day she was as quiet as a mouse.

Rich

Sport 350