1.5 blueHDI engine noise

[I14R10]

Hello,

I'm new here, I own Opel Corsa F, 2021. Engine inside is 1.5blueHDI diesel. I bought it second hand in november last year.
I know all about the timing chain issues. I replaced the chain in january this year and it's been about 20 000km from then. I've heard something rattling inside the engine 3 times in the last month or two. I have a recording of it here . This was when the temperature over night dropped to 9C, and the noise lasted for couple minutes and then went away. The other times that I heard the noise was also when it's cold and went away within 30 seconds or 1 minute. Other times when it was cold I didn't hear anything, so it's not rattling every time in colder weather.

I've asked my mechanic about it (the same one that did the chain replacement) and he says it could be chain again and recommends upgrading to 8mm chain.

I've read that this noise could also be coming from valves, or from injectors. What do you think, is it possible that the new chain lasted only 18k km? When the mechanic replaced the chain he said original was in OK condition, meaning it didn't damage the chain sprockets. It doesn't seem normal to me, that something that should last 150k km lasts only 20k km. I don't even drive it hard, I mostly keep it at low acceleration and at most 2500 RPM.

[mickthemaverick]

I really don't like making suggestions based on hearing from a video. I would suggest you get a long screwdriver, put the handle in your ear and touch around the top of the engine with the tip, it works like a stethoscope and you should be able to narrow down the options with a better idea of exactly where it is coming from.

[PaulC5]

Citroen / Peugeot have started a recall on the 1.5 hdi engines due to the cam shaft chain problems so I would check with your dealer in case Opel are also doing it. It involves listening to the engine noise and if ok replacing the oil and filter with the latest oil spec which as of yesterday (when our 308 was checked) was 5W30, FPW9.55535/03. It has been this spec since the beginning of 2024 and is still the latest as part of the recall MXL.

[BoB1988]

Yes,unfortunately that is the sound of camshaft chain. I know , because it sounds exactly like chain in mine. Basically, tensioner gave up and chain is hanging on its own, without any tension. When engine is running, it bounces off , of metal housing/carrier. How bad is it? It's really bad. Since chain is loose, it can jump/skip a few notches , changing timing and resulting in valves kissing pistons. Not a great scenario. You really want to get it repaired ASAP. Get yourself original camshaft carrier , upgraded with 8mm chain. Don't buy from Ebay, unless seller offers original part. Don't buy "no name" aftermarkets from China. I made this mistake. When it happend first time, I bought Chinese replacement from Ebay. Paid 3 grand to get it fitted. It lasted 4k miles and I had to change it again(it started making noise like yoirs). Second time I went for original and fitted it myself. Took me 2 days to do it. All the best

[I14R10]

Citroen / Peugeot have started a recall on the 1.5 hdi engines due to the cam shaft chain problems so I would check with your dealer in case Opel are also doing it. It involves listening to the engine noise and if ok replacing the oil and filter with the latest oil spec which as of yesterday (when our 308 was checked) was 5W30, FPW9.55535/03. It has been this spec since the beginning of 2024 and is still the latest as part of the recall MXL.

Unfortunately mine doesn't have a recall on it, I checked with the Opel dealer.

5W30? My mechanic put 0W30 inside last time I did the oil change, just before the rattling become audible.

[wurlycorner]

Citroen / Peugeot have started a recall on the 1.5 hdi engines due to the cam shaft chain problems so I would check with your dealer in case Opel are also doing it. It involves listening to the engine noise and if ok replacing the oil and filter with the latest oil spec which as of yesterday (when our 308 was checked) was 5W30, FPW9.55535/03. It has been this spec since the beginning of 2024 and is still the latest as part of the recall MXL.

Unfortunately mine doesn't have a recall on it, I checked with the Opel dealer.

5W30? My mechanic put 0W30 inside last time I did the oil change, just before the rattling become audible.

As you’re in a different country (and this is fitted to a different manufacturers vehicle) a different oil viscosity might be recommended (0w-30 v 5w-30).
Check with your local Opal dealer what the latest recommended viscosity is for your car in your country.

[I14R10]

I finally did a 8mm chain upgrade, last friday. And I'm trying not to imagine things, but I really think the engine sounds and behaves like a completely different (new) engine. The sound is very smooth, no knocking, no clattering, nothing, just smooth deep sound of an engine. No clicking at startup anymore. The engine power is back. Before the upgrade when I pressed gas there was really not much power produced, and the sound was like I was hearing it through the sloshing water - and it had very long delay from pressing the pedal to getting the power. It was really unpleasant to drive.

I didn't ask the mechanic how bad the old chain was, but according to everything I see now, I'm guessing it was pretty bad since entire engine timing was weird.

[Chiko002]

Ok. New 8mm chain in ok. Works fine. I understand.

But what I don't understand...
If your mechanic replaced the old 7 mm with a new 7 mm and a new tensioner earlier this year... Then it should work fine for another 80,000 km + without any problems even with the new 7mm chain. It shouldn't start rattling again so soon.

Maybe your mechanic didn't replace anything the first time?

[Chiko002]

Yes,unfortunately that is the sound of camshaft chain. I know , because it sounds exactly like chain in mine. Basically, tensioner gave up and chain is hanging on its own, without any tension. When engine is running, it bounces off , of metal housing/carrier. How bad is it? It's really bad. Since chain is loose, it can jump/skip a few notches , changing timing and resulting in valves kissing pistons. Not a great scenario. You really want to get it repaired ASAP. Get yourself original camshaft carrier , upgraded with 8mm chain. Don't buy from Ebay, unless seller offers original part. Don't buy "no name" aftermarkets from China. I made this mistake. When it happend first time, I bought Chinese replacement from Ebay. Paid 3 grand to get it fitted. It lasted 4k miles and I had to change it again(it started making noise like yoirs). Second time I went for original and fitted it myself. Took me 2 days to do it. All the best

I have this sounds too. Please tell me why this sound stops after two minutes and then returns to normal?

[Paul-R]

Unfortunately wear is not solely on the chain. The camshaft drive gears, which are integral to the camshafts, wear as well so changing just the chain will still leave half the wear on the gears. Worse, the worn gears will encourage the chain to wear out quicker than perfect gears would do.

[owl]

Yes,unfortunately that is the sound of camshaft chain. I know , because it sounds exactly like chain in mine. Basically, tensioner gave up and chain is hanging on its own, without any tension. When engine is running, it bounces off , of metal housing/carrier. How bad is it? It's really bad. Since chain is loose, it can jump/skip a few notches , changing timing and resulting in valves kissing pistons. Not a great scenario. You really want to get it repaired ASAP. Get yourself original camshaft carrier , upgraded with 8mm chain. Don't buy from Ebay, unless seller offers original part. Don't buy "no name" aftermarkets from China. I made this mistake. When it happend first time, I bought Chinese replacement from Ebay. Paid 3 grand to get it fitted. It lasted 4k miles and I had to change it again(it started making noise like yoirs). Second time I went for original and fitted it myself. Took me 2 days to do it. All the best

I have this sounds too. Please tell me why this sound stops after two minutes and then returns to normal?

I had the same issue it is very hard to say according to video but some reasons;

Option 1 is hydraulic chain tensioner delay.The camshaft chain tensioner is oil-pressure operated. When the engine is cold, the oil is thick and pressure builds up slowly.Until the tensioner fills with oil and tightens the chain, the chain runs slightly loose, causing a short rattling or clattering noise. Once the engine warms up and oil pressure stabilizes and the noise disappears.
Second option is Oil flow restriction or old oil filter
If the oil filter’s anti-drain valve leaks or oil passages are partially clogged, oil takes longer to reach the tensioner on cold start. That’s why the noise happens only when starting after a long rest.

By the way I changed with 8mm with high quality oil and problem solved

[owl]

Citroen / Peugeot have started a recall on the 1.5 hdi engines due to the cam shaft chain problems so I would check with your dealer in case Opel are also doing it. It involves listening to the engine noise and if ok replacing the oil and filter with the latest oil spec which as of yesterday (when our 308 was checked) was 5W30, FPW9.55535/03. It has been this spec since the beginning of 2024 and is still the latest as part of the recall MXL.

Unfortunately mine doesn't have a recall on it, I checked with the Opel dealer.

5W30? My mechanic put 0W30 inside last time I did the oil change, just before the rattling become audible.

0w30 is very noisy it seems watery to me. 5w30 is perfect match. STELLANTIS FPW9.55535/03 is the spec. of oil. I strongly recommend you Ravenol VMP 5w30.

[Chiko002]

I don't get it. Today I started a cold engine; the car had been standing for more than 24 hours. Nothing rattled. Sometimes, however, it rattles.

[owl]

I have another noise. This is very crazy. I had C4 CACTUS 1.5 bluehdi 100 hp engine. I installed 8 mm. chain-set with timing belt kit (INA brand) after 400-500 km strange noise started. I found it on the youtube:

After long researches I found out water-pump is the source of noise. Some people changed it and install OEM waterpump (as far as I know DAYCO makes for PSA) and the solved the issue.

Now I installed 8mm chain set with INA timing belt kit on my C5 aircross 1.5 bluehdi YHZ engine, after 1000KM agains same noise. I am 100% regretful that I didnt buy 2.0 Bluehdi or Petrol. 1.5 bluehdi is a big fiasco.

[owl]

I don't get it. Today I started a cold engine; the car had been standing for more than 24 hours. Nothing rattled. Sometimes, however, it rattles.

Why you dont change chain to 8mm? I mean I dont know how much money does it cost in your country or do you have service campaign but it is better to die once than to die everymorning change it . You are going to solve problem 99%