4.4 V8 cold rattle

Hi, I have been asked by my Bro-in-law to see if I can help him get a decent nights sleep again. (He is not comfortable with the computer age)

He recently bought a nice '04 ex-police Range Rover 4.4 V8 with less than 40k miles on the clock (yes, we were suspicious at first too). However, he is worried about a 'tappety' type rattling from the engine on cold start up. It seems to go when the oil gets around the engine a bit.

Is this normal, or is he right to be laying awake?

Advice appreciated.

most likey hydraulic lifters leaking back , would not have expected that at 40000 tho ?

Or some vanos rattle.

What oil grade is he using?

WSLR said:

Or some vanos rattle.

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was bad enough making the camshafts for them

tacr2man said:

most likey hydraulic lifters leaking back , would not have expected that at 40000 tho ?

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Yep, what he says..
I had an Biturbo motor that use to suffer big time with that issue.
I put in a slightly thicker oil grade on the next service and it helped a little.
On the other hand, the missus merc started doin it after she took it to a cheap garage for an oil change...but I think that was that they used an oil too thick and a lifter (or maybe valve) was sticking. The stuff they used looked like glue when cold!.
I flushed it and put in the correct grade for the engine. It stopped it...then I told her not to take it to a cheap garage for a simple oil change!! :doh:


Would defo recommend an oil /filter change asap, and put in decent oil. .... then go from there