Hi, new to this group. We recently purchased a 3ltr estate sport with an extensive service history and low kilometres, 124,000.
When cold on startup, there is a distinct brief rattle. What are the possible problems and there solutions?
Thanks, Gordon.
Xj12 VDP 1990, 61 3.8 mk2.
Brief probably means that as soon as the oil pressure comes up the rattle goes away.
There should not be a rattle, and it could mean that you have something loose in a place where oil appears as soon as the pressure comes up, like a bearing surface.
The connecting rod bearing is most likely to generate a rattling sound and that is
a symptom of a definite problem. A loose connecting rod will not tighten up on its own, it will only get looser and eventually come apart, resulting in massive destruction of the engine.
Your rattle could be something simpler, like a loose piece of some external part, but you do need to discuss this with a good mechanic. With luck he/she could pull the oil pan, replace the connecting rod bolts and your problem could be fixed.
Keep an ear out for the rattle and be alert if it seems to get worse because the end would then be near.
And report back with your findings so we can all learn from this.
P.
I believe that your correct, it’s odd though with only 80k miles and full service history.
Is it possible to remove the oil pan and do the change in place?