Rattle on start, noisy tappets

[poohbah]

G'day folks, my first post as have only recently bought my first Alfa, a tidy '02 156 V6,  now with 120k on the clock.

Love it, but in the 4 months I've had it, its back for its 3rd trip to the workshop. First (at 117k) was to get major service, new CVs/driveshafts fitted, and the timing belt changed, and the second was to replace thermostat and split rad hose.

I have  just taken it back in to have front springs replaced (a planned job), but in the 2-3 days before I dropped it off, it started getting jingly/rattly on cold start (and occasionally when off the gas and coasting) and really chattering loudly as revs increase.  It has also started feeling a bit flat and occassionally lumpy at idle.

Mechanic's initial view based on what it sounded like is that it might be hydraulic lifters - but I won't know for sure til they've had it for a bit.

Given it has just had the timing belt changed and serviced etc, I would hope that its unlikely to be anything dramatic - but any thoughts?

[colcol]

Why did you have the front springs replaced?, were they sagged or was it an upgrade?, what oil are you using and have you had the oil filter replaced, it is such a hard job to do, that sometimes it doesn't get done, even though you think it has, you have to remove a pump to get at it, it might be blocked, and is not filtering the oil, and you can have rubbish floating round the engine that will block the lifters, and stop them working properly, or they could be just worn out, Colin.

[poohbah]

Cheers Colin,

The car has lowered suspension and the front springs have sagged, so that's why they are getting done. Can't say off the top of my head what oil used. Will have to check.

I will also speak to the workshop about the oil filter. Will post back when I know more.

[colcol]

The oil filters on V-6-156's are in such a terrible position, i wonder if anyone has ever done a remote coversion to put the filter where it was actually easy to change, like they do in some taxi's and 4 wheel drives, Colin.

[Fast Eddie]

without naming names, is it an Alfa specialist workshop you are dealing with?

[colcol]

Hydraulic lifters don't last forever, but don't like dirty oil as it starves them of oil and the have less 'cushioning' and get noisy, also make sure the correct oil has gone in, if it has dirty oil, you might put a cheap oil thru, and drain it after 500 kilometers or so, Colin.

[poohbah]

Cheers all,

Just got the car back from the workshop (yep one of the only alfa specialists in Perth). Turned out it wasn't lifters, but knackered cam belt idlers. Two new ones installed and she's running sweetly again. Sounds like she's meant to, and has lost the flat spot that was driving me nuts. Even the rattle on start has gone ... for now any way.

[colcol]

Great news, when you do the cam belts, also change your cam belt idlers - tensioners - followers or whatever you wish to call them, even after a few years, if you haven't travelled many kays, with time the grease dries out, had a similar noisy idler on the 33 years ago, horrible metal rumbling sound, good to catch it before they seize, then it just rubs the belt away, just before engine failure, keep that engine oil clean and the correct grade for long life lifters, when they wear, the slight radius on them and the taper on the cams wear away, and the hydraulic lifters won't rotate, and get a flat worn in them, Colin.

[poohbah]

Thanks Colin, sage advice. Feeling relieved today - got caught in a sudden hailstorm yesterday arvo and was certain the roof would end up looking like a golfball. Thankfully nothing to report.