Engine noise that sounds like my valves have an issue

1.8-liter VVTL-i (2ZZ-GE) and VVT-i (1ZZ-FE) engine, transmission, exhaust, intake, and performance tuning discussions
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jmvvibeowner
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2010 3:22 am

Engine noise that sounds like my valves have an issue

Post by jmvvibeowner »

Wondering if anyone can give me an idea of what they think a noise might be under my hood. My car is a 2005 Pontiac vibe with 213,000 miles on it. Some of the parts are still original. Can't remember the last time my spark plugs were changed. Problem the other day I noticed, when I got in the car in the morning, it sounded to me like the valves were louder than normal, which alarmed me. As I drove it seemed to get quieter. I"ve done my oil changes religiously every 3000 miles and once in a while have added fuel additive to keep my pistons clean. I have no engine lights coming on. So wondering if I might need a tuneup, which I also cannot remember the last time it was done.

Can anyone help with what they think this could possibly be?
Caretaker

Re: Engine noise that sounds like my valves have an issue

Post by Caretaker »

Having owned both generations, I've always been of the mindset that these VVTi engines need routine valve adjustments, but every mechanic I have taken it to disagrees and says they are not adjustable. With my current gen 2, I notice that the clattering gets louder when the cold weather sets in each year. Now that my car is in a warm climate for the rest of its life, I notice that the clattering gets louder when the oil level drops anywhere below full. Keeping the engine full of oil at all times seems to quiet the noise. I seriously doubt that aged Denso spark plugs would somehow cause your valves to get louder, other than a traditional knocking sound when driving. But since like me, you notice that the noise gets quieter as the oil warms, I think this is merely our quirky Corolla engines doing their thing. If indeed you have NEVER changed the plugs on your car, I sit here in amazement that you could get over 200,000 miles on the OEM plugs.
zbyers
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Re: Engine noise that sounds like my valves have an issue

Post by zbyers »

Valve adjustments aren't really a common thing on the ZZ engines. It can be done, but usually isn't necessary.
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Derf
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Re: Engine noise that sounds like my valves have an issue

Post by Derf »

Noticed the same with mine 220k miles. Above 50*F just a bit of noise on startup. Around 30*F noise for a about 30 seconds after startup. Anything below 15*F the noise lasts for about a minute and is initially much louder. Definitely a temperate related phenomena. Heard different explanations, but they all relate to oil flow and thermal expansion. Once explanation was piston slap. In the colder weather the pistons have just a touch more play in a high mileage engine and produce the ticking sound until all the bits are oiled up and the piston and rings get closer to operating temperature. I checked the valves on my car, they were all in spec, appears jack frost is just messing with engine tolerances.
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