Hydrolic tick after major service ?

Technical Area Engine, Transmission, Exhaust etc
2

Hi

I have recently purchased another mx5 this time a mk1 (March 1990 Uk)

The car is un-restored and in excellent condition and has done 67,000 miles, however its has done very little in the past 10 years, in fact it has done 6 miles in the last 3 years.

The engine oil was clean and had been changed recently but ,…

I have given the engine a big service inc :-

Timing belt, water pump and tensioners

Cam shaft oil seals

As it is the short nose engine, I removed the front pulley to replace the seal and re-fitted it with a new woodruf key and bolt ( there was no signed of any wear/damage)

New plugs, Castrol GTX ultraclean 10W - 40 oil and new filter

All parts were purchased from MX5 Parts

Before doing any of the above, the engine ran silky smooth and lovely and quiet.

 

I then took the car out for a long run covering about 200 miles, steady 60 - 70 MPH but no high revs, At home I inspected for any leaks - all was good until the following morning.

When I started the car the engine had developed a loud rattle, that did not stop until I took it out for a longish run 5 miles.

As I was not sure what this was, I removed the cam cover and timing belt covers and looked for signs of rubbing or loose bolts, everything was perfect. Upon start up it was back to being quiet as a mouse. The noise has since returned when cold and does take a few miles to shut up.

After looking on the net and Youtube, my noise does sound to be similar to hydraulic lifter ticking, but why would mine be quite until I serviced it and drove 200 miles

I am tempted to put a tin of Wynns lifter treatment in it then change the oil again

 

Any words of wisdom ?

Regards ian

 

3

Hi again

I have listened closely to many areas of the engine with an automotive stethoscope but with this tool everything sounds perfect, the noise has sounded a bit like something rubbing hence the removal of the cam and timing belt covers.

4

The answer to the question “why does it do it”, is “because it does”!

Two options put in the potion and if that cleans the solids out of the tappets and the noise does not returns then you have won a watch!

If the noise stays, it is virtually a refit of the cam belt and the time to remove the camshafts and strip each tappet in turn, clean and then put the whole lot back together.

There is a “how to” over at mazdamenders.

5

Hmm, I seem to remember something about making sure the oil filter has a non-return valve in it (to prevent ‘draining down’ back through the filter and taking stuff back into the engine).

See this thread, (admittedly about a 1.8, but mostly still relevant) specifically the discussion about flushing and filters and rattly tappets.

https://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/yaf_postst105595_Preventative-maintenance-on-NA-1-8–Barely-used-for-years.aspx

6

It will go away. I recently changed a bottom end and left the head untouched for a couple of weeks. When i refitted it and stated it the lifter tick was terrible. One in particular refused to be quiet. As it was a track car I took it to Snetterton where it took a whole flat out lap before it shut up and has remained silent since. On another tack i loaned an engine to a friend that had not been started for 2 years. It started with no tick, only the momentary clatter until the lifters filled.

Some seem to do it more than others. I bet a good Italian tune up would work wonders, after such minimal use its bound to be gummed up a bit.