crw

Winter is fast approaching in Western NY.

One year, upon start up in late March, I heard loud ticking. The engine had not been started for several months. The temperature was close to 50F.

After about 15 minutes, it went away - lifter was empty of oil and took time to fill.

Any way to prevent this?

I would think it would be more problematic to start the engine every few weeks to keep the lifters filled?

95_993

I wouldn't worry about it. I'd only worry if it didn't go away. Chances are you got a lifter that the seal is almost completely shot. If it does again and doesn't quiet down, it's time for lifters. Not an overly expensive or daunting task. When I pulled my lifters at 65k miles, the seals crumbled on almost every one of them. Age has a way of killing polymers.

SwayBar

Just leave the car alone until spring, start it up and let it idle until the ticking stops.

After winter, mine will sometimes tick, and it always clears up.

AOW162435

Before starting it for the first time, pull the DME and crank the engine until you see good pressure. Reinstall the relay and start the car.



Andreas

IainM

^this
and keep the battery on a maintainer so it’s ready for lots of cranking

crw

THX

E30M3

My car has been doing the same thing for the last few years and often wondered whether any engine damage was happening as a result of this?

Edward

Hey E30,
How bout some pics of that classic M, eh?!!

Crw,
Wait, 15 minutes of loud valve clatter?!!! That does not sound right to me ...and I missing something here? If I don't drive my 993 (my daily commuter) for maybe 6-8 weeks in the summer, it ticks for a second, maybe two, when I start it. But 15 minutes does not sound right here ...are you being literal about that?

Edward

crw

Maybe "loud" was the wrong work.

It was notable ticking upon 1st start up after several months.

It went away after the oil warmed up and did not recur.

E30M3

Edward,

Here is a photo of my E30M3 that I no longer own..


I also will get about 15 minutes of loud tapping that will go away once fully warmed and/or driving.

Edward

oh man, I miss these ...and so rare. Long ago I wanted the e36 m3, the rare 4 door, but that never happened. Very cool sir, and thanks for posting that beauty!

I think that 15 minutes of loud clatter —loud, right, not just audible tapping?— speaks of a marginal or outright bad lifter, one that isn’t filling for far too long. Clearly, these little guys fill up nearly immediately under oil pressure. That 15 minutes of clacking is a flag IMO, and perhaps you may want to ask a good, trusted wrench on that.

Edward

E30M3

Thanks Edward.

That trusted wrench would be me as I do everything myself.
I just haven't had time to drop the valve cover to verify.
I recently acquired another classic auto that has consumed all of my (little) spare time but hopefully I will get around to this soon.

Edward

^^^I do everything myself, as well! And the lifters are easy to replace as I've done one bank long time ago. My reference to a trusted wrench is really to get their opinion --or multiple mechanics' opinions-- on whether it is, in fact, "normal" for 15 minutes to elapse before the valve clatter quiets down. I have a test sample of exactly one car Only an experienced wrench who has seen lots of these 993s over years would have a feel for what ticking is and isn't normal ...that's all I'm sayin

Edward

pp000830

Hi CRW,
The first startup after a long sit loud lifters are to be expected.
Once they quiet down and the car has subsequently sat overnight, upon restart there should be no lifter noise if the lifter cartridge seals are doing their job adequately.
If there is noise, then the seals on one or more of the lifters are shot and the cartridges need to be replaced.
Replacing all the lifter cartridges can get pricy. Some only replace the cartridges on the bank where the errant lifter(s) presented.
My experience was that they became noisy at 90K miles and so I replaced them all so I would not need to visit them again until 180K on the odometer.
Andy ;-)