Engine Clicking- Oil Starvation
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
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Engine Clicking- Oil Starvation
On my 00 C2 (about 65k miles), I occasionally here a clicking sound that I am fairly certain is oil starvation. It seems to come from the right side of the engine more of often than the right side. I know that there can be some starvation issues with tracking the car however I have been getting this sound from just driving down the highway then parking on flat ground. I always have great oil pressure. The clicking eventually goes away. I cannot replicate the problem, it just occurs when it wants. Everything runs great. No problems with the car other than a slight RMS leak. Oil level is completely full. No CEL and durametric doesn't find any fault codes.
I feel fairly certain that it is oil starvation- the sound is exactely the same as previous experiences were I had a known starvation issue (non-996).
Does this sound normal? Do I need to do anything about this? I have been ignoring it for awhile because it really doesn't seem to be a problem. I figure that it doesn't hurt to ask.
I feel fairly certain that it is oil starvation- the sound is exactely the same as previous experiences were I had a known starvation issue (non-996).
Does this sound normal? Do I need to do anything about this? I have been ignoring it for awhile because it really doesn't seem to be a problem. I figure that it doesn't hurt to ask.
Race Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,978
Likes: 10
From: San Antonio, TX
Oil starvation will eventually lead to bearing failure. If you starved the bearings for more than a few seconds, I am sure your engine would be toast. I think you are hearing a small header leak or exhaust leak somewhere else. Maybe even a weak lifter, I dont know, but not oil starvation.
Oil starvation stems from high G's where the oil moves away from the oil pump pickups, not level ground idling.
I am sure you are fine and can look elsewhere.
Oil starvation stems from high G's where the oil moves away from the oil pump pickups, not level ground idling.
I am sure you are fine and can look elsewhere.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,446
Likes: 69
+1, from what Ive read on PCA boards... oil starvation is also blown out of proportion and is a no issue on street tires.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,138
Likes: 8
From: Richmond, VA
Some ticking is common on these engines, they are noisy at idle...a distinct ticking is almost always a stuck lifter...what oil & viscosity are you running? Running the car til the oil is hot (normal) then letting it sit can let a leaky lifter drain out.. If you rev it to say 6000, does the ticking stop and go away for a while, but return when the engines been off and cooled down? That would be classic lifter issue. What is your oil pressur edoing at different RPM's? How do you know it's "plenty of pressure"? You COULD try an oil flush then fresh 5w-40 Mobil 1 or Redline and see if it goes away, but an oil flush might make your RMS leak worse, and if it's not your RMS, but the IMS, then it may not be worth the trouble. Any decent P-car mechanic should be able to hear it and tell you what it is.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
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I last changed my oil about 5k ago and I am using Mobil 1 0w-40- simply because that was what was what the manual stated. It seems to occur after driving on the highway at about 70mph or so. If I let the car sit while idling, the sound will go away after about 5 minutes. The clicking speeds up when I rev the engine but it doesn't go away. Last two times that my car was at my indy, the clicking wasn't present.
I just went out and started the car. It was sitting for about 4 hours. The clicking is now present. It wasn't present when I came to work.
The oil pressure is about 3.8 cruising at 3200rpm's. Pressure is about 1.2 at idle.
Thanks,
Steve
I just went out and started the car. It was sitting for about 4 hours. The clicking is now present. It wasn't present when I came to work.
The oil pressure is about 3.8 cruising at 3200rpm's. Pressure is about 1.2 at idle.
Thanks,
Steve
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,138
Likes: 8
From: Richmond, VA
Since you're almost due for an oil change, I'd try it with 5W-40 and see if it goes away. While 0W-40 (which I also presently use), flows easier when cold and gets where it's needed, it will also drain out of a lifter easier as well when cold.
Race Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,159
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From: Chicagoland
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
I have been looking around for Mobil 1 5w-40 and I am not able to find it. I looked on the mobil 1 website and all I can find is some 5w-40 turbo diesel oil. Are there any major chains that sell Mobil 1 5w-40?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 158
Likes: 6
From: Atlanta, GA
Hydraulic lifters work by getting "pumped up" with oil such that they occupy all the space between the cam and the rocker arm. If the lifter oil channel gets dirty the lifter does not pump up fully leaving a gap between the valvetrain and the cam resulting in a "ticking sound". Switching to heavier motor oil is not likely to help since thicker oil will be less able to flow through the dirty narrowed oil channel within the lifter.
Your choices are to either add something to the crankcase to clean the lifter or replace the lifter. I've done both in my iron V8 days and it's much easier to use a strong additive. One product that I've used successfully in my old Mazda truck is
BG Quick Clean for Engines
http://www.bgprod.com/products/engineoil.html
Basically you put it in and run the engine for 15 minutes, drain, and then change the oil. I know a lot of this stuff looks like snake oil but I've used it with success before. The noise went away and didn't come back.
Good luck,
Tonger
Your choices are to either add something to the crankcase to clean the lifter or replace the lifter. I've done both in my iron V8 days and it's much easier to use a strong additive. One product that I've used successfully in my old Mazda truck is
BG Quick Clean for Engines
http://www.bgprod.com/products/engineoil.html
Basically you put it in and run the engine for 15 minutes, drain, and then change the oil. I know a lot of this stuff looks like snake oil but I've used it with success before. The noise went away and didn't come back.
Good luck,
Tonger
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 8
From: Kansas City, MO
I have a similar sound and my engine has similar gauge readings. I hear the sound from the passenger side after the car sits for a day or when I start it after its been sitting overnight. It does not occur regularly. It did not occur until recently. I am scheduled for my first oil change (approaching 15,000 miles) since buying the car 5,000 miles ago. I presumed it was a lifter issue; its what it sounds like to me. I have had this on other cars too (not Porsche) when its time for an oil change.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
From: Spokane, Wa
I have a similar sound and my engine has similar gauge readings. I hear the sound from the passenger side after the car sits for a day or when I start it after its been sitting overnight. It does not occur regularly. It did not occur until recently. I am scheduled for my first oil change (approaching 15,000 miles) since buying the car 5,000 miles ago. I presumed it was a lifter issue; its what it sounds like to me. I have had this on other cars too (not Porsche) when its time for an oil change.
Do you know how many oil changes your p-car has had prior to your ownership?