engine rattles when started in the morning from cold for about 5 seconds then sounds sweet as a nut. Obviously the oil getting round but does it mean my oil is too thick? or something else?

Sounds like the lifters.

 

They are hydraulic so unless they are full of oil they will be noisy. 1st thing to do is an oil and filter change, decent clean oil can work wonders for curing minor engine noises.

 

What oil do you use? anything with a higher "w" number than 10 (as in 10w40) is too thick and will not circulate quickly enough from cold.

 

I've also read on here somewhere that a little auto transmission fluid (and I mean a little - 30ml or so) poured into the engine oil can help. Don't quote me on that though unless someone else can support that it works.

 

Richard :)

mine does the same thing but lasts up to five minutes.

I've just had the engine rebuilt with new oil but I am not sure what was put in.

My rattle is quite loud, especially when its revved.

Mine also has a rattle on start up but it only lasts for a second , still does,nt sound nice though , i think its quite commen on a zed :headvswal

How often do you use it?

 

I sometimes get a slight rattle for 1-2 seconds after start-up if I haven't used the Z for over a week, but only sometimes. The oil pressure guage shoots up to around 1/2 way between 60 and 90 psi (approx 3/4 to max on the stock guaue) immediately and the rattle goes.

 

If I use the car every day then there is no rattle at all.

 

Richard :)

its normal to have a slight rattle for a few secs on start up just oil getting round the topend as said already

 

if a lifter is fooked and constantly rattles regardless of being hydraulic or solid it will need replacing,try a good quality oil.castrol rs 10-60 IMO

Thanks for the tips guys, glad i'm not the only one, i reckon its an oil thing too. Not had the car long so i don't know whats in it. I will be putting a 10/40 synthetic oil in soon and think that will cure it. The muppet who had it before me must have put some Halfords own-brand high milage old car glue in it and not stopped to think that its a 300HP supercar!

my rattle for a few seconds in th emorning is bottom end no lifter rattle at all new shells going in tomorrow if the turn up aswell as my arp bolts ...always waiting for parts !!!!

Its reaonable for an engine to rattle its lifters after its been left for a week or so, but if used several times a week they should not rattle.

 

It can be an oil problem, as in wrong grade and/or old oil. Lifters can also been worn. (or gummed up). It can also be an indication of a tired oil pump or also that the oil pressure generally is low. Which might mean new shells etc. IMHO

 

Might be interesting to ask why it has thick oil in it? Is it to "cover up" another problem? Hope not, but take care.

I shouldn't think there's thick oil in it to cover something up as the engines sweet as a nut, think its more likely to be lack of knowledge. I have no idea what oil is in it but having read everyones advice it sounds to me like worn lifters which i can live with but i'm going to try the simplest option first which is new oil. A tip my mate gave me was to turn the engine over but don't allow it to fire up, just enough time for a little oil to circulate, then start it up as normal. It's worth a try and can't do any harm.

I shouldn't think there's thick oil in it to cover something up as the engines sweet as a nut, think its more likely to be lack of knowledge. I have no idea what oil is in it but having read everyones advice it sounds to me like worn lifters which i can live with but i'm going to try the simplest option first which is new oil. A tip my mate gave me was to turn the engine over but don't allow it to fire up, just enough time for a little oil to circulate, then start it up as normal. It's worth a try and can't do any harm.

 

If it has unknown oil in it, then its definatly worth doing a change with some high quality Fully syntentic oil anyway.

I shouldn't think there's thick oil in it to cover something up as the engines sweet as a nut, think its more likely to be lack of knowledge. I have no idea what oil is in it but having read everyones advice it sounds to me like worn lifters which i can live with but i'm going to try the simplest option first which is new oil. A tip my mate gave me was to turn the engine over but don't allow it to fire up, just enough time for a little oil to circulate, then start it up as normal. It's worth a try and can't do any harm.

I wish mine would turn over a few times before starting but it starts on the first turn :headvswal I,ve even tried quickly flicking the the starter as not to let it start and try and pump the lifters up a bit before starting , but its not easy to do cos it just starts anyway :smash: Suppose i should,nt complain for having a reliable car :dance: :dance:

ive seen a few subaru's with electric oil pumps so they can get full oil pressure at a flick of a switch b4 the engine is started, Will this work with the zed u recon ??

Its a simple thing to fit a switch inside the car to stop it starting until you are ready.