Noise on start up.

[AlMcL]

Could anyone tell me the best way to start my engine,if I turn it over without the choke it takes a while for the oil light to go out and starts without a rattle,if I start it it straight up with the choke the rattle is evident for a second then goes straight off as soon as the oil light goes out.Engine has just been rebuilt (not by myself)but at a MM spec who assures me that this is normal and will not be doing any harm.Any advice would be gratefull.
Cheers
Allan

[bmcecosse]

This is very much NOT normal - except on a worn engine ! There should be NO rattle on start up. Which specialist - and what was done to the engine ? Was the crankshaft reground - and a NEW oil pump fitted? Rattle on start-up will have the bearing shells ruined in no time.

[AlMcL]

The engine was rebuilt,new oil pump,pistons and rings,all bearings,crank reground and unleaded head fitted,it was done by Tom Roy.
Regards
Allan

[bmcecosse]

Well - take it back - it should NOT rattle...........and it's just ludicrous for them to suggest that's 'normal'. Get them to put it up on a ramp and drop the sump - and let YOU inspect the bigends and the centre main. Do they actually rebuild the engine themselves - or do they farm it out to others??

[AlMcL]

They send the crank and block away then rebuild it themselves,they say it is ok but i have nothing to compare it with to argue my point.
Allan

[IslipMinor]

Allan,

It is definitely not normal for a A-Series engine to rattle on start up, hot or cold, unless there is a problem with the oil draining away from the crankshaft bearings. This happens when the engine is well worn.

Did the noise happen as soon as the engine was rebuilt, or a time afterwards? What oil is in it?

Where are you based? There may be someone near to you that could provide a comparison.

[bmcecosse]

I can assure you that rattling on start up is NOT correct for a 'reconditioned' engine. I was hoping a few others would chip in here to confirm!
Pheww -thanks Richard!

[beero]

I agree, I have rebuilt my engine and it doesn't rattle on startup even if it has been sat a couple of weeks.

[bmcecosse]

It's called the Death Rattle for good reason...........

[sirrom]

I agree with the others, take it back otherwise the rattle will just get worse

[bmcecosse]

If you are in the AA - you may be able to threaten them with an inspection by them. Do you actually have any evidence that they reground the crank and fitted a new oil pump ? I see you don't mention a rebore - so is the engine just a patch-up job with new rings in old bores? And perhaps they just slapped new shells on a worn crank - without a regrind ?

[katy]

What weight of oil is in the engine?

[kennatt]

dosent matter what oil is in ,the engine, has very obviously NOT been built to satisfactory condition. It should not rattle(The death rattle) on start up.Def sign of something worn or misplaced, If it has been reground with new oversized shells fitted main and big end, and new oil pump and if they are adament that this is so.Then may be they haven't fitted the oil pump correctly and it could I suppose,if not sealed to the block,allow the oil to drain back into the sump from the oilways and bearings,and certainly the oil pressure would be low as well. TAKE IT BACK and get them to sort it out before the crank is damaged. An oil pressure test would show the later up,but I suspect they have just shot new shells in without a regrind,I would be suprised if Chris at Tom Roys would not co operate with you I've not known anyone else to have problems with him,but you never can tell theses days.

[AlMcL]

Hi,
Thanks for the replies,Ihave spoken to Chris yet,but have dealt with him for many years and without doubt rectify the problem.I needed to know that this was aproblem before speaking to him.Crak was reground and block rebored.I will speak to him tommorow and no doubt he will sort it.

[bmcecosse]

Either they got the regrinding wrong - or used the wrong size of bearing shells. If that's the problem, and it has been caught early enough, it may just need a set of the correct size shells. I do hope they really did fit a new oil pump........