Oil change now timing chain rattle at hot

Hi

I had an oil and filter change. Never had any problems on Mobil 1 5w30 have used same brand filter UFI but used shell helix ultra and now have a chain rattle once engine is hot and driven for a while. The rattle only occurs at idle so thinking low oil pressure at idle. Is it the oil? Is it an oil leak or pressure?

Can anyone give me some advice?

Leon 1.8t 132k. Had no problems until oil change. Owned car 4 years
 

ben450

Active Member
Feb 17, 2012
1,617
2
London
Have you ever had the oil pickup pipe changed? I only ever use genuine filters on my cars and I personally think 5w30 is slightly too thin on these engines now as there getting on a bit so I use 5w40.
 
Thanks for the reply. I had a new oil pump about 3 years ago so believe that is covered. I remember asking the mechanic at the time. The car has been fine on 5w30, the oil change was on Saturday and has only ever made the noise since. Am confused. Sounds like the chain is starved of oil.

Options are

Replace chain tensioner (could be pricey)

Switch back to original oil and filter and hope it goes away

Have oil pressure checked on idle and look for leaks (car uses some oil) edit have oil pickup checked

Hope it goes away (doubt it will)


Also the noise is intermittent as in sometimes after 40mins of driving it isn't there, or will be there and then 10 mins later gone
Any suggestions?
 
Last edited:

guari

Active Member
Nov 17, 2014
295
0
If it's really prevalent and you wish to go for it, you can always flush and put what you used before and see if the clunking goes away.

I'm sure plenty of people run shell helix ultra with no probs.
 
Thanks, I'll call garage tomorrow and try discuss it with them. Thinking pick up clean or replacement (whatever is more practical) maybe a flush. Can't believe it's the tensioner gone as it has happened exactly when the oil change occurred. Gutted as just had new lower coils and shocks and poly bushes put on her.......
 

guari

Active Member
Nov 17, 2014
295
0
Hope you sort it out and it's cheap, let us know what the garage says.

I particularly love shell and have used their products from many years ago. Sorry of your troubles though.
 

Fmxvxx

Active Member
Dec 21, 2014
388
3
My first check would be a pinched seal or the old seal still left on from the oil change causing loss of pressure at the top end causing the chain rattle.
 
Thanks for the advice, the car is booked in for Tuesday for a replacement oil pickup and I'm considering an engine flush to add to the list. The garage are pretty basic and said they arent able to measure oil pressure. The rattling is pretty consistent now after about 20 minutes of driving and resting at idle - so only seems to occur once the oil is really up to temp and thinned. It takes a few seconds to creep in once stopped but not sure what that might mean.

Does anyone think the mobil 1 oil, although the same grade, would be a bit thicker at high temperatures?

If the cheap fixes don't work, there is a seat specialist at Whatlington who seem good - I might go there next and consider a new chain tensioner or get an inspection to see if the rails are broken.
 

BlueCupra01

Active Member
Mar 23, 2015
29
0
Hey mate
Did you ever get to the bottom of this?

My Cupra seems to be having the same issue, was thinking chain but after reading yours wondering if it could be oil.
 
Is going in tomorrow! Asked for oil pressure test at hot idle and if it's fine then new tensioner, tensioner gasket and rocker cover gasket. There is a set kit made by Topran which is seriously tempting as it'scheap but have been stung by cheap parts before. Hopefully it's a pressure issue as the car has been losing oil somewhere which couldbe a ddodgy tensioner gasket letting oil pressure out but garage will confirm hopefully. Car Engine often has a hhot oil smell about it when parked. Sorry for dodgy spelling am I'm the mobile
 
Not yet had to cancel garage appointment before as needed the car. Have just been checking oil level and keeping revs up at 1200 when in cues as the tensioner seems to work then. Tomorrow should bring some news. Apparently the noise you get is due to the piston in the tensioner going but it definitely sounds like a chain rattling.
 
We agreed on labour estimate of 5 hours only.

Yep it turned out it was the cam chain tensioner, as now having had it replaced, the noise has gone and the car also starts and idles very nicely.

Break down of price:

£299 for chain tensioner, rocker/valve gasket, tensioner gasket and half moon gaskets.
£120 for timing belt and tensioner kit
£25 metal impeller waterpump.
£11 antifreeze
5 hours labour @ £40 ph = £200


655 plus 20% VAT = £786 total

Went for a pretty comprehensive operation as the cambelt was on 50,000. Car should be good for another 60k as long as the clutch holds out (compression was tested as new a year ago). If the belt was at 10k or under I doubt you would need any of timing belt kit.

It's strange how the noise appeared after an oil change but after trailing the net, I found others who had had this problem appear after an oil change.
 
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