Ticking engine noise or normal?
Discussion
I've a 2016 Vauxhall Zafira and only this evening heard what sounds like a ticking noise. I'm not sure if it's normal or new but car drives fine, no loss of power or other noises, no lights etc. just when I was parked I heard a slight ticking noise perhaps. Don't hear it when the car is moving and you'd not hear it with the radio on or if you weren't listening out for it (now I think I've heard it). You can't hear it when at a junction or in traffic.
Oil is fine, belt feels right (I'm no expert but there wasn't any give). I lightly put a finger nail to it and it left a mark which I read means the rubber on the belt is ok. Garage looked at the belt in Nov and it was fine.
Something to be concerned about or just the engine noise? Cars done 38,000 miles. Interim service start of July (done, at best, four or five thousand since), and they had it last week for breaks and test drove with no comment.
Top video after a short drive. Bottom video before drive. Engine warn in both as we had driven an hour earlier.
Oil is fine, belt feels right (I'm no expert but there wasn't any give). I lightly put a finger nail to it and it left a mark which I read means the rubber on the belt is ok. Garage looked at the belt in Nov and it was fine.
Something to be concerned about or just the engine noise? Cars done 38,000 miles. Interim service start of July (done, at best, four or five thousand since), and they had it last week for breaks and test drove with no comment.
Top video after a short drive. Bottom video before drive. Engine warn in both as we had driven an hour earlier.
Edited by James Hartnall on Friday 5th January 19:06
Edited by James Hartnall on Friday 5th January 19:18
E-bmw said:
Just sounds like a normal diesel to me.
Their injectors frequently make a "tappy" sound.
The exhaust manifold can also be a candidate, so pull the cover off & check for anything that looks like it could be smoke residue.
Is this a good time to say it's petrol? Sorry I should have said in the original post. Their injectors frequently make a "tappy" sound.
The exhaust manifold can also be a candidate, so pull the cover off & check for anything that looks like it could be smoke residue.
Could be one the pulleys / bearings on the cambelt is going? I had that sort of noise on a VW Golf at around 45k miles. At 50k miles, I got the cambelt, accessory belt and waterpump changed, which comes as a kit with a new tensioner. The mechanic said one of the pulley’s, the bearing was knackered and changed that as well. Was perfectly smooth after that.
Mind you, I’m not a mechanic and my experience is limited.
Mind you, I’m not a mechanic and my experience is limited.
Edited by wyson on Friday 5th January 21:04
James Hartnall said:
E-bmw said:
Just sounds like a normal diesel to me.
Their injectors frequently make a "tappy" sound.
The exhaust manifold can also be a candidate, so pull the cover off & check for anything that looks like it could be smoke residue.
Is this a good time to say it's petrol? Sorry I should have said in the original post. Their injectors frequently make a "tappy" sound.
The exhaust manifold can also be a candidate, so pull the cover off & check for anything that looks like it could be smoke residue.
Just been out with the car to sons lessons this morning. 2.5 miles each way and car sounded normal when driving and little to no ticking noise when idle and parked. The engine was cold when I started it this morning when I thought it may be worse. Video is of it after the drive parked in the same location as last nights videos.
Video here of both sides of the engine.
Video here of both sides of the engine.
Edited by James Hartnall on Saturday 6th January 12:50
E-bmw said:
Next time remove the pop-off cover on top & see if it gets any noisier form anywhere in particular.
That just sounds like a slightly noisy belt/tensioner/idler/alternator but nothing major.
Thanks E-bmw. I apprichste it's hard to tell via video etc. but not knowing anything about cars apart from the fuse box it's reassuring. That just sounds like a slightly noisy belt/tensioner/idler/alternator but nothing major.
Just been out now, so same time/conditions as last night and sounded better. I'll pop into the garage over the next few days but just worry with new noises and kids in the car.
Just had the car in the garage for a quick check and of course, no noise. Thankfully from the video they could hear the noise and they think it's something to do with the belt. Booked in for an inspection next week but they think it may just need some spray/lube.
I've not heard the noise since Friday until I put the windows up when I was parking. It made me think the other difference to Friday was I had my lights on on Friday evening, but not needed them since. Could this potentially suggest it's the alternator part of the belt as when it's being used it's more prominent? Just a thought but pleased it will be looked at next week. Only need to make a handful of short 5 mile journeys until then.
I've not heard the noise since Friday until I put the windows up when I was parking. It made me think the other difference to Friday was I had my lights on on Friday evening, but not needed them since. Could this potentially suggest it's the alternator part of the belt as when it's being used it's more prominent? Just a thought but pleased it will be looked at next week. Only need to make a handful of short 5 mile journeys until then.
If the issue is potentially a belt/idler/bearing etc there is one really easy way of checking where it is coming from.
Get one of those garden type hand sprayers used for plant food/spray etc, make sure it can be used on a jet setting rather than just spray.
As carefully as possible spray the individual parts to see where it is that spraying water keeps it quiet for a few seconds & you have found the culprit.
Yes, it could be the alternator/aux belt which would change whether there is a larger electrical load or not.
Get one of those garden type hand sprayers used for plant food/spray etc, make sure it can be used on a jet setting rather than just spray.
As carefully as possible spray the individual parts to see where it is that spraying water keeps it quiet for a few seconds & you have found the culprit.
Yes, it could be the alternator/aux belt which would change whether there is a larger electrical load or not.
I've got one of these,1.4turbo petrol currently at 40k miles.
I'd tend to agree with JONATHAN re the water pump. Have you checked your coolant level lately ?
Just had to change the pump and belt on mine due to the pump leaking. You might be able to see a tell tale staining or dampness on the subframe below.
I'd tend to agree with JONATHAN re the water pump. Have you checked your coolant level lately ?
Just had to change the pump and belt on mine due to the pump leaking. You might be able to see a tell tale staining or dampness on the subframe below.
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