tarzan17

If I let the car sit overnight, then start it in the morning I hear a knocking or "clicking" sound lasting a few seconds. Appears to come from driver side of engine. If I immediately shut off the car and restart, the sound is not heard. All fluid levels are proper as far as I can tell.

This may have coincided with recent oil change but I cannot be sure.

Here is a video link:

Seems to be a problem where some part is not lubricated during first startup. Any help or thoughts would be much appreciated !

salimshah

I have moved the post as it is a unique problem.

To me it sounds as if the key is kept in the start postion about 3 seconds too long. But that is just me.
Salim

tarzan17

I'm still trying to root cause this issue. And providing update for posterity.

Note: Problem has not affected gas mileage or drive-ability.

Here is another guy, with same symptom:

Today I contacted a youtube member (who seems very knowledgeable) about this issue and he said:

"Hello. This is not bad thing. Sound comes from automatic hydraulic valve setting system, when oil pressure is low. Many cars gives same sound, but when oil pressure is up, sound disappear."

Any quick and dirty fixes?

2KHarrier

Mine does the same thing. I'm running 5w-20 weight oil right now, and I wonder if the weight of the oil is having effect on those parts.

pilot2

Sounds like the lifters are without lubrication for a few seconds; never a good thing. If it was not doing this before the oil change, I would suspect the oil. Was the previous oil a different weight?

hypervish

What oil filter are you using? Try swapping it for another one, see what happens.

ktmjay

running 5w-20 should not be your problem. 40 weight oil vs 20 weight oil is about 10 percent thinner,its not half what you might think so 20w vs 30w would not be much. if you are close to your oil change you should change it,then see if that makes a difference which i would think it will.

carguy07

Not the lifters, they are solid bucket and shims.

pilot2

What brand/weight oil and filter were you using before the problem started and what brand/weight oil and filter are you using now?

2KHarrier

Not the original poster, however I'm running PP 5w-20. I'm nearing the time for an oil change, and I'll be using PP again, but not sure what weight will be best for the winter here in Wisconsin. I'll also be using Toyota filters from here on out...

2KHarrier

Changed the oil last weekend. I used PP 5w30 and installed a Toyota filter. Still makes that lousy noise like a sewing machine about 10 seconds after start up, and for about 2 seconds or so. I have no idea why, but I'm not experiencing any oil consumption, so I'm not too worried about it...

salimshah

Have you added any injector cleaner to your fuel?

Salim

2KHarrier

no, have not. It sounds like something in the valve train is starved for oil just a couple of seconds. From what I've read, it seems to be a slightly common problem..

salimshah

I can suggest having the valve clearance checked.

Salim

tarzan17

Guys my apologies for not replying sooner.

I'm using OEM FO-11 90915-YZZD3 oil filters with Quaker State Ultimate Durability synthetic motor oil 5w-30. I have tried all combinations of synthetic and dino for 5w20 and 5w-30 with no affect.

I cannot pinpoint time when this first appeared but my guess is that it was after I started playing with engine additives. There is no smoking gun for me - where I did something and noticed immediately that the sound was there.

Engine was fine before the following:
- used auto-rx to counter oil leak
- after the auto-rx ran its course, I moved to synthetic
- have also used Seafoam and Lucas fuel injector cleaners in gas tank

Funny thing is that the sound duration is not constant, ranging from 1 second to a few seconds. Also, very occasionally the sound isn't there at all but I think this only happened in the summer.