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Vauxhall vectra 1.8 vvti sri - Bit of noise on startup - Aaron Coates
Hi all,
I have a Vauxhall Vectra 1.8 vvti Sri, Petrol, 08 plate,
On start up only when cold I get a bit of tapping rattle like its a diesel starting up..
On for 2-3 seconds but if I start it up straight after turning it off it don't happen...

Help... Please and suggestions.
Vauxhall vectra 1.8 vvti sri - Bit of noise on startup - Oli rag

Does the oil pressure lamp go off straight away?

Could be a bit of bottom end bearing wear or a noisy hydraulic tappet.

Has it had an oil change using a decent oil filter recently? Poor quality filters don't have an anti drain valve allowing the filter to empty while the engines off.

Vauxhall vectra 1.8 vvti sri - Bit of noise on startup - Aaron Coates
Yes the light does go straight off and had service as had head gasket done.
Vauxhall vectra 1.8 vvti sri - Bit of noise on startup - symonh

Sounds like a fault with the VVT system to me. These systems rely on oil pressure to rotate the cams relative to the cam sproket, and when worn the oil drains from them once the engine has stopped. They then rattle on startup until the fill up with oil again.

It will probably be fine for a while, but it would be a good idea to get it changed in the near future because if it wears to the point of rattling all of the time you will loose your variable cam timing.

Unfortunately it is a cambelt off job to change it.

Vauxhall vectra 1.8 vvti sri - Bit of noise on startup - Aaron Coates
Hi, the guy who did my repairs on it, gave me the car back with no power in it at all, so he replaced the vvt sensor and pulley apparently!! And since then thinking about it, it's only since then it's happened..
Vauxhall vectra 1.8 vvti sri - Bit of noise on startup - Aaron Coates
He had to change the sensor as I had no power to move, as it took for ever to gain speed..
Vauxhall vectra 1.8 vvti sri - Bit of noise on startup - Aaron Coates
Does that sound right to you?
As before he did the head gasket the car move really quickly.