Slight ticking noise from the top of the engine.

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LFY
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Slight ticking noise from the top of the engine.

Post by LFY »

Hello dear members.
I think my car (Peugeot 406 1.8 16V) has some slight (or maybe very slight) ticking noise. Since the noise comes from top of the engine, it is certainly hydraulic lifter noise (I am familiar with Fuel Injector noise and I know this is not the sound of them). This noise can only be heard with the bonnet up and the engine idling. To hear it clearly, I have to put my ear on valve covers. When the bonnet is down, it is hardy noticeable unless I park my car in a closed garage next to wall with complete silence (only the sound of engine running). If I give it just a slight amount of throttle, the noise disappears completely. I tried to discover if it has anything to do with cold or hot weather (or cold and hot engine) but it seems that it doesn't make any difference. Some people can't notice the noise. I don't know, maybe I'm a little too sensitive but I'm not sure if it is normal or not. I have searched about common problems with tappet noise in similar Peugeot models but all of them referred to a very noticeable and loud noise that can be heard during driving. My case is just too slight.
I'm currently using Addinol 5W-40 Super Light.
I have to add that my car doesn't have any vibration problem and its performance is excellent. It accelerates quite well all over the rev range.
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white exec
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Re: Slight ticking noise from the top of the engine.

Post by white exec »

A fairly old engine now. Try going up one grade of oil (10W-40 or 15W-40) next time you do an oil change.
Our D4D tappet-clatters at c.2000rpm on thinner oils, but is silent on 20W-50.
I realise you are petrol, and not suggesting you go for 20W-50.
I know thin oils are hyper-fashionable, so lots will disagree about this.
Chris
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LFY
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Re: Slight ticking noise from the top of the engine.

Post by LFY »

Thanks for your reply.
My car is not particularly high mileage. It has done 129K kilometers (Around 80K miles). My previous oil was Total Quartz 7000 10W-40 but after switching to Synthetic 5W-40, there was not any difference in the noise. It is exactly the same as 4 years ago not higher not lower.
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white exec
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Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Slight ticking noise from the top of the engine.

Post by white exec »

Iran, like here is southern Spain, is generally warm/hot. Thin oils might not be the best in that sort of climate. If 10W-40 wasn't showing up any real difference, next time you do a change, do try some 20W-50.
It's cheap and easy to do, will do the engine no harm (it's probably listed as an acceptable grade in the owner's handbook), and if it gives no improvement, then that will tell you that it's not a leaky hydraulic tappet.
Chris
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LFY
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Re: Slight ticking noise from the top of the engine.

Post by LFY »

white exec wrote: 23 Apr 2020, 10:43 Iran, like here is southern Spain, is generally warm/hot. Thin oils might not be the best in that sort of climate. If 10W-40 wasn't showing up any real difference, next time you do a change, do try some 20W-50.
It's cheap and easy to do, will do the engine no harm (it's probably listed as an acceptable grade in the owner's handbook), and if it gives no improvement, then that will tell you that it's not a leaky hydraulic tappet.
Thanks for your advice. The weather here in Tehran is both hot and cold. Owner's manual only recommends 10W-40 and 5W-40 for this engine (XU7JP4). I used the second one because my car has great and very healthy piston rings and I want to lengthen their life span. So, I use 5W-40 to help decrease wear and tear in cold days during start-up. If I use 20W-50, my piston rings will wear out faster.
I have read some articles about engine flush fluids. I don't dare to use them because I think they can damage valve seals, crankshaft seals, camshaft seals, etc. But maybe I'm wrong and they don't do any harm.
Are they really harmful?
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white exec
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Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Slight ticking noise from the top of the engine.

Post by white exec »

Ok, best to stick with the owner's book recommendations.
An oil system flush is not usually necessary, as most modern oils have a very effective detergent/cleaning action. Others may be able to advise on this.
Chris
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Re: Slight ticking noise from the top of the engine.

Post by Oldpug »

During all my years working with Peugeot`s, I have never replaced any valve lifters on XU 16 valve engines. I`m sure there is nothing to worry about, just a good clean engine will do the trick.
Firstly OP find out if you can get Forte Products in Iran,I would be surprised if you cant. Run the engine with Forte engine flush, change the oil and oil filter (recommended grade) then add Forte top end treatment.
I`m sure these additives will start another debate? All I can say is that I used Forte products professionally for years, found the results good, it does what it says on the tin.
https://www.forteuk.co.uk/product/top-end-treatment/
https://www.forteuk.co.uk/product/advan ... tor-flush/
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LFY
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Joined: 20 Sep 2015, 11:14
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Re: Slight ticking noise from the top of the engine.

Post by LFY »

Oldpug wrote: 24 Apr 2020, 11:11 During all my years working with Peugeot`s, I have never replaced any valve lifters on XU 16 valve engines. I`m sure there is nothing to worry about, just a good clean engine will do the trick.
Firstly OP find out if you can get Forte Products in Iran,I would be surprised if you cant. Run the engine with Forte engine flush, change the oil and oil filter (recommended grade) then add Forte top end treatment.
I`m sure these additives will start another debate? All I can say is that I used Forte products professionally for years, found the results good, it does what it says on the tin.
https://www.forteuk.co.uk/product/top-end-treatment/
https://www.forteuk.co.uk/product/advan ... tor-flush/
Thanks a million for your advice. So, according to what you said, XU lifters are pretty robust and rarely need replacement. My lifer noise is actually very low and almost unheard of. Your words were like a relief for me.
I have never heard about Forte products. Maybe they are available in Iran but unfortunately, the current situation is terrible and I don't dare to go out to search for the products due to the danger of getting infected with the virus. However, I remember some other motor flush brands in the market such as Liqui Moly and Würth. I don't know if these are reliable brands in terms of motor flush products or not. How much do Forte products cost in the UK?
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Oldpug
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x 64

Re: Slight ticking noise from the top of the engine.

Post by Oldpug »

Liqui Moly and Wurth are good well known brand names.
Forte products are available on E Bay and Amazon, so it would be possible to have them delivered to your home. Mind you it would be a lot cheaper to buy locally.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/254368548023?c ... CjEALw_wcB
User avatar
LFY
Posts: 92
Joined: 20 Sep 2015, 11:14
Location: Iran..
My Cars: Peugeot 406 1.8 16V
x 3

Re: Slight ticking noise from the top of the engine.

Post by LFY »

Oldpug wrote: 27 Apr 2020, 14:09 Liqui Moly and Wurth are good well known brand names.
Forte products are available on E Bay and Amazon, so it would be possible to have them delivered to your home. Mind you it would be a lot cheaper to buy locally.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/254368548023?c ... CjEALw_wcB
I think I have to find someone to buy Forte products and send them to me because Amazon and Ebay don't support shipment to my location.

I have a question from you. I have heard from some people that motor flush products contain powerful chemical acids that may destroy valve seals or crankshaft seals in no time. Is this true? I am a little worried about this. They say if you pour them inside the engine, your engine will develop severe oil leaks!
Have you had a similar experience when you used Forte?
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Oldpug
Posts: 481
Joined: 07 Aug 2010, 11:15
Location: Berkshire
My Cars: Peugeot 406 GLX
Audi A3 TFSI S Line
Mercedes SL320
(In the past,just about every old Peugeot you can think of.)
x 64

Re: Slight ticking noise from the top of the engine.

Post by Oldpug »

I had my own Peugeot specialist car repair business for over 25 years. I used Forte products for most of that time without any problems, only good results. Forte is a global brand, I would not use their products on my customer`s cars if I thought it would cause problems with the engines.
The reports your referring to may be about some very cheep counterfeit stuff ?? A company selling a product that caused engine problems would be out of business in no time.
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