Tick...tick...tick...on cold start-up

[punjabi]

When starting my 300TE (12V) first thing in the morning, it makes a slight continious tick...tick...tick...tick noise for a few seconds (about 3-5 secs) until the oil pressure needle hits the top and then quietens to normal tickover........is this due to low oil pressure at start-up? Any cure?

 

[Bri957]

Just a sticky hydralic tappet. Nothing to worry about imho.

 

[Dieselman]

Try flushing the engine with flushing oil and filling with new oil and filter.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Could it be the air purge valve?

 

[Dieselman]

Could be. The best diagnostic tool for this type of noise is an engine stethoscope.
I once traced a noise that sounded like a big end gone, down to a worn alternator bearing transmitting through the block.

 

[ms500]

My 24v does exactly the same thing, I think it's probably due to the valve lifters being starved of oil until pressure rises. Nothing to worry about.

 

[Mark300SL]

I thought mine was a tappet, tapw when cold for a few seconds and then went quiet - its a blown exhaust manifold gasket