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Wed 11 May 2016 12:41

Vauxhall Corsa 1.7CDTi - Noisey engine when started warm. - Emmab

My Vauxhall Corsa 1.7CDTi (2008 model) starts and runs perfectly when cold. However if the engine is anywhere between mildly warm and normal operating temperature and is stopped and restarted within a minute or two the engine sounds horrendous. This is so bad I immediately shut the engine down. Wait a few seconds and try again the engine starts and runs perfectly. The engine has done 78,000 miles, serviced every 15,000 miles, timing belt replaced, by Vauxhall at 60,000 miles. It uses no oil, and has no visable smoke from the exhaust. Can anybody let me know if they have come across this problem on a diesel engine before I takeout a second mortgage and hand it over to Vauxhall.

Many Thanks Emma.

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Wed 11 May 2016 13:12

Vauxhall Corsa 1.7CDTi - Noisey engine when started warm. - RobJP

I would guess - and it is a guess, though an educated one - that oil is running back from the filter to the sump. So on that re-startup with hot oil, you've got no instant lubrication at the top end until the oil fills up the galleries.

When you then shut down and re-start within a few seconds, the oil hasn't had a chance to run back, so not as noisy.

You don't notice it when the engine is cold because diesels are 'clattery' on cold startups.

Possible cure : a slightly thicker grade of oil might help, as it would be less likely to all drain back. I've no idea if you're getting it serviced at an independent or not, or if they're using high-quality oil filters, which maybe built to stop oil from running back to the sump (almost like a one-way valve).

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Wed 11 May 2016 13:30

Vauxhall Corsa 1.7CDTi - Noisey engine when started warm. - gordonbennet

Oil drain back is a good suggestion, my tuppence is 16000 miles is too many between oil changes anyway, i'd alter that to annual or 10k whichever is soonest.

If it's due under the above time/mileage suggest you get the oil changed together with a genuine filter as a first move and see if there's any difference.

If no change then get a proper Diesel worshop, not the Vx dealer, to go through it...most areas have a decent Diesel shop, ask around, taxi drivers usually know where to go if you struggle to find one.

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Wed 11 May 2016 14:23

Vauxhall Corsa 1.7CDTi - Noisey engine when started warm. - Wolfan

Does the oil pressure light go out quickly whether you start it hot or cold? The answer will determine if the problem is oil pressure related.

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Wed 11 May 2016 15:09

Vauxhall Corsa 1.7CDTi - Noisey engine when started warm. - bazza

Yep, I'd go with a filter change first, use a Vauxhall one from their parts depot. I'm guessing that you're using a 5W/30 oil, I would possibly try a slightly heavier oil eg 5W/ 40 but be careful and don't make a massive change away from factory spec.

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Thu 12 May 2016 20:54

Vauxhall Corsa 1.7CDTi - Noisey engine when started warm. - Wolfan

Emma, the only way you will sort out the problem is to check how quickly the oil pressure light goes out both hot and cold before you do doing anything else, I have known plenty of engines that rattle when started frpm cold for the reasons that have been posted but none that have done so when warm after the initial start. Don't waste any money on oil or filter changes untill this simple check has been done, (trust me I have been a used car salesman) sorry about the joke but I have had over fifty years experience with motor vehicles and although I am the first to admit thaI haven't kept pace with the technical and computorised side of modern cars I still understand the basic mechanics.I had hoped that someone else would have endorsed what I previously posted or tried to shoot me down in flames, possibly Engineer Andy?

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Fri 13 May 2016 00:21

Vauxhall Corsa 1.7CDTi - Noisey engine when started warm. - Wackyracer

I have one bit of advice as the car is 8 years old take it to a Bosch service centre rather than a Vauxhall dealer. They are usually really up on diesels and they will be cheaper.

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Fri 13 May 2016 00:37

Vauxhall Corsa 1.7CDTi - Noisey engine when started warm. - RobJP

Wolfan, I don't think anyone would 'shoot you down in flames' for your original suggestion. It's entirely feasible.

However, we're all trying to remotely diagnose a problem, without hearing or seeing the car, without knowing how knowledgable the OP is, or much else.

As such, yes, your suggestion makes perfect sense. Just as (I hope) mine did. And Bazza's, GB's, Wackyracer's.

But we are all really throwing darts at a board in the dark. All we can do is hope it makes sense to the OP, and they can get the problem sorted.

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Fri 13 May 2016 10:38

Vauxhall Corsa 1.7CDTi - Noisey engine when started warm. - Emmab

Dear gordonbennet,

Thank you for your prompt reply. Firstly just a bit more info about the servicing of the car. I have always serviced the car, apart from when it was still under manufacturers warrenty myself using genuine Vauxhall oil (fully synthetic 5W/30) and genuine filters.

Your advice on service intervals is sound. Vauxhall adviced me the engine would require servicing every 20K or annually whichever came sooner. I thought that servicing the engine every 15K would help. However, examination of my Haynes manual states that the engine service should be every 10K as you suggest.

I've changed the oil (used genuine Vauxhall 5W/40), lube filter, air filter (and diesel filter as a matter of coa***) on Thursday (12th).

Initail indications where good, the engine started perfectly with no abnormal noises. However, after my daily commute to work this morning, (20 miles) I tried restarting the engine and the noise has returned.

I think that whatever the problem is, I believe that it is top end related and even if a specilist diesel shop diagnosed the problem it is going to be relatively expensive to cure. Concidering the cars resale value, and like us the older it gets the more likely something will go wrong it may be time to px my beloved Corsa.

Again, Many Thanks for your advice

Emma.

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Fri 13 May 2016 10:19

Vauxhall Corsa 1.7CDTi - Noisey engine when started warm. - Emmab

Dear RobJP

I've changed the oil (used genuine Vauxhall 5W/40 as you suggested), lube filter, air filter (and diesel filter as a matter of coa***) on Thursday (12th).

Initail indications where good, the engine started perfectly with no abnormal noise and likewise when warmed up on the driveway. I did notice that the oil pressure warning light extinguished during cracking and before the engine started. This was an improvement as recently the light only went out once the engine fired. The engine has always started "first time" so the improvement with regards to the oil pressure warning light is in fractions of a second only.

However, after my daily commute to work this morning, (20 miles) I tried restarting the engine and the noise has returned.

I think that whatever the problem is, and I fully understand your comments, as I believe that it is top end related, it is going to be fairly expensive to cure. Concidering the cars resale value, and like us the older it gets the more likely something will go wrong it may be time to px my beloved Corsa.

Again, Many Thanks for your advice

Emma.

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