Noisy 1.6HDI in a C3

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hamster99
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Noisy 1.6HDI in a C3

Post by hamster99 »

Drove my wife's C3 1.6HDI tonight and it seems very noisy both at idle and when driving under load compared to how it was a few days ago. It's like a rattle or tapping noise. In the "old days" I would have described it as noisy tappets....!!!

I did a quick check in the dark just to see if it was a loose auxiliary belt or something obviously loose around the engine bay but everything seemed ok. It does seem to be coming from the top of the engine.

I'll have a better look and stick it on the Lexia over the weekend, but any thoughts in the meantime?

Rob
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Re: Noisy 1.6HDI in a C3

Post by RichardW »

I noticed our C4 was a bit rattly on idle just before it blocked the sump strainer, and trashed the vacuum pump (not necessarily in that order :lol: ). I would whip the vac pump off and check for any crud in the inlet filter - if there is, then drop the sump, clean out the strainer in there, clean the vac pump filter - but also take the lid off and check the state of the internals. If it's full of little bits of plastic, then you will need to replace it. Ours went 7k after the turbo change before we got low oil pressure....you're probably about the same now #-o
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Re: Noisy 1.6HDI in a C3

Post by hamster99 »

Thanks Richard

Yes it's about 8k since the turbo change so will check out those bits too.

Looks like I will be busy this weekend as I also have to replace the lower ball joints on my C5......deep joy...!!!
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Re: Noisy 1.6HDI in a C3

Post by RichardW »

The good news is that it survived the low pressure event (even though we were on the m-way when the light came on!), and has done another 1500 miles since without trouble. Check of the vac pump revealed no crud in the inlet after 1k miles. And the low speed flat spot it had has largely gone, so the vac pump was clearly not at its best before that, and higher vacuum has improved the turbo response.

That it needs a new engine fuse box is another matter....!
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Re: Noisy 1.6HDI in a C3

Post by hamster99 »

Well.....didn't get round to checking the C3 last weekend due to the torrential rain and Sod's law wife just rang to say warning lights on for low oil pressure etc etc. I've told her to ring the AA and get it recovered to home so I can have a proper look at it this weekend.

Certainly sounds like the beginnings of the 1.6HDI issues!!!!

I'm going to start with the checks you suggested first Richard and then see where I go from there but would welcome any other tips or advice out there too.

Rob

PS....forgot to say, when she checked oil the level is normal.
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Re: Noisy 1.6HDI in a C3

Post by kmak577 »

I am no mechanic, and wouldn't explain the low pressure light to my knowledge, but is the noise similar to this? I thought my 1.6 hdi has a loose fan belt to start with, now I am not so sure... Just a though?

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Re: Noisy 1.6HDI in a C3

Post by RichardW »

Rob - bugger, said Doogal.... You'll have to drop the sump to clean the strainer out. You might well decide just to rip the strainer out, which Lighty has done on a couple... If there are any signs of the vac pump being in distress (crud in the inlet strainer, bits in the cam shaft hole in the end of the head) then you might as well renew it.

kmak - not sure about that noise, never heard anything like that. You will need to try and confirm exactly where the noise is coming from.
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Re: Noisy 1.6HDI in a C3

Post by citronut »

kmak577 wrote:I am no mechanic, and wouldn't explain the low pressure light to my knowledge, but is the noise similar to this? I thought my 1.6 hdi has a loose fan belt to start with, now I am not so sure... Just a though?

my friends 1.6 HDI 307 did this, the injector seals broke up,
whiped the injector out, cleaned all the mating surfaces, i borrowed a tool for cleaning the injector seat in the head,

new seals, refit injector and its fine now, well in that department anyhow
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Re: Noisy 1.6HDI in a C3

Post by kmak577 »

Sorry chaps, what I ment was perhaps this might explain the noise coming from the original posters engine....

As far as I am aware its caused by loose injector bolts, not sure of the torque though, which I must admit is why I am lurking around this forum.

On a side note, cleaned my oil pick up pipe and it was partially clogged with bits and bobs the oil filter hadn't caught, I think it would be worth doing!
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Re: Noisy 1.6HDI in a C3

Post by Lighty »

Had a 3008 with the dreaded 1.6 HDI drove in with oil light on last week, only done 40,000 miles and full service stamps.
Customer reported light on earlier that day, but he had made it to me from Nottingham (about 10 miles away ) ](*,) ](*,)
The sump strainer was completely blocked, so we ripped it completely out, stripped the oil feed pipe off, but there was absolutely no blockage in this at all :?:
Anyway, on start up all was well, with absolutely no adverse noises, so hopefully all will be well.
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Re: Noisy 1.6HDI in a C3

Post by hamster99 »

I've got myself a new oil pick up/strainer and will drop the sump and fit it on the weekend. Interestingly started it up today and it seems to be running ok although I wasn't prepared to risk driving it anywhere.

Any thoughts on whether I should remove the metal strainer gauze at the bottom of the pick up pipe so it doesn't get blocked, or will that potentially be worse because it might allow larger particles into the oil system?
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Re: Noisy 1.6HDI in a C3

Post by Lighty »

The way I see it, some dirty oil is better than no oil, the two cars I have had with this issue (now3) both blocked the strainer again within 3 months, hence why I removed it.
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Re: Noisy 1.6HDI in a C3

Post by RichardW »

Little over 3 months since I did mine..... [-o<
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Re: Noisy 1.6HDI in a C3

Post by lexi »

Surely mileage in the 3 months and city driving must be a factor?
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Re: Noisy 1.6HDI in a C3

Post by hamster99 »

Stripped the sump off today and the strainer in the bottom of the oil pick up pipe was completely clogged up. Pump must have been really straining to suck the oil through there easily. Only a matter of time before it caused some serious damage I think..!!

Have now fitted a new oil pick up pipe and have taken out the strainer gauze to avoid future blockages. I think I may start doing oil and filter changes every 3 months/3000 miles just to make sure.

Dropping the sump not really that difficult but I do wish they used gaskets.....trying to clean off all the old silicone from sump and bottom of crank case and then re-applying fresh silicone is a real pain and takes as long as all the other bits of the job put together.

Rob
15 C4 1.6 eHDI 115 Exclusive - better half's
12 RR Westminster 4.4 TDV8 - Gentleman's Club on wheels
05 C5 2.0 HDI 138 Exclusive - gone but not forgotten
05 C5 2.0 HDI 138 VTR - crushed May 2015
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