Rattle ticking noise just started

[Stevo96]

Hi, car is 03 4.4i m62.
I've had a few oil leaks since owning the car but the car has always started smooth with no rattles, I decided to put a much thicker oil in a few weeks ago and all was ok, no rattles or anything like that but the oil leak remained. I decided to put rislone main seal stop leak in to stop the oil leaks. Oil leaks have slowed considerable and car had no rattles. 2 weeks later the car started to make a rattle noise at start up for a few seconds then go away, engine sounds fine for 2 mins after start up then a noise appears like a loud ticking that speeds up as the revs rise but disappears after 3000 revs, it sounds terrible whilst idling especially when the engine is warm. Any ideas? I'm not sure if it's got anything to do with those additives I put in but thought it best to mention it..
Today I dropped the oil, did an engine flush and filled it with the correct oil, rattle remains.. Engine feels lump at idle which coincided with the rattle/ticking..

[Stevo96]

After doing a bit of research its been suggested to change the timing chain tensioner, the rattle is much worse at start up but never really goes away. I'm wondering if the piston has ceased completely therefore the chain is slapping against the guides. I picked the part up earlier today and the plan is to fit it tonight. If it doesn't fix it, its going on ebay!

[bcredliner]

It could be a lifter(s) going dry, low oil pressure, clogged oil filter--the list goes on. Have you checked for engine codes? If it is a lifter issue the engine would likely run rough. I don't use oil additives, especially those the are supposed to seal leaks and I never vary from recommended oil wt. range. The reasons I don't are sealers can clog something up and flushes can break a harmless deposit loose the gets lodged somewhere that causes a problem. That said, the flush was worth a try to get the sealer out. In your case I suspect the heavier oil is contributing to your problem.

It won't hurt to try a new chain tensioner but be sure you get the revised on that is longer than the original one. I have nothing for verification but it seems like the longer tensioner would extend the life of the chain guides--keeping the slack out of the chain for a greater number of miles. I changed mine just for that reason.

[Stevo96]

I changed the oil filter when I put the new oil recommended oil in and the noise remained. I tried to fit the tensioner last night, in the dark and it was raining! Not good, I dropped the 19mm socket and couldn't find it so I abandoned it until later tonight. I've listened to the sounds people have reported before about timing guides and their noise sounds rougher than mine, mine is more of a tap sound, I may try and post a vid if the tensioner doesn't fix it. I'll also try to bleed the lifters, the process is 2-3k Revs for a few minutes at idle, yes?

[Stevo96]

is it possible to remove the serpentine belts to see if the ticking disappears or could it cause damage? I would only need to do it for a few seconds, this would rule out air con, alternator etc...?

[bcredliner]

Before doing anything further I suggest checking for engine codes.

A stethoscope that can be purchased at local auto is very helpful finding the source of noise. Sometimes it is easier to use a long extension for a ratchet--the solid end on the engine and the slotted end to your ear.

A ticking noise is seldom from something driven by the belts, especially when it goes away at higher RPMs.

[Stevo96]

The ticking noise doesn't go away anymore and is sounding louder. It very loud for the first few seconds then quietens down but remains ticking, it speeds up with revs but as the revs rise you cant hear it as much but that's more to do with the engine noise drowning it out. I will check for codes tonight, I have the c100 scanner which has live diagnostics but not quite sure what I should be checking? The MIL light isn't on. The car is chugging at idle slightly. Ill change the tensioner and check for codes tonight.
If I was to point at the area to which I think its coming from id say the inlet manifold, the silver box at the front of the engine where the throttle body is, mindful though that sound travels so it could be from anywhere!

[Stevo96]

Well I fitted the tensioner, no change...
Testing for codes next..

[jimmysx5]

Did you change the idle pulley to?

[Stevo96]

No, I haven't changed that, does a loud ticking sound come from that?