Tappet noise Ford Fiesta ST 2016

[ST.patrick]

I've had this car only a month. I love the car, it is an absolutely phenomenal car. However lately I've been hearing the tappets making noise. I'm currently on 1500 kms and have already changed the oil and filter twice with ford recommended oil. First at 300 kms and second at 1400 kms. I have already gone to the dealer and he tells me to drive it till 3000 kms (in the hope that it goes away). They will do a complete check over the car and hopefully not just investigate the tappet issue but replace the faulty tappet.

Here's a link to the video....

https://youtu.be/v95dScgciFc

 

[Intuit]

I agree on the sound. They're dead simple to get to on my '94 Ford Escort and it was pretty simple to inspect each of the lifters; have easily found a few bad ones over ~330k miles.

Depending on what's involved in getting to them on the 1.6L, may want to pull and inspect them yourself. They're probably not expensive.

For the little time I've spent searching for a 2016 Fiesta ST manual, haven't located one... and I'd very very much like one.

 

[bodytech]

I thought the same thing when I first bought my ST, your hearing the direct injection, I highly doubt anything is wrong or needs replacing

 

[parapraxis24]

Sounds exactly like mine.

It's a byproduct of direct injection...sounds like a sewing machine.

Perfectly normal.

 

[ST.patrick]

There is a definite normal engine sound, but the tappet sound is distinct and it comes and goes. Direct injection does not come and go it is constant. Intuit, I do appreciate your words, it has inspired me to have a look at it myself. My father is a ford mechanic of 35 years, thanks to him it was brought to my attention. Just don't like the issue on a brand new car. It is the tappets...

 

[Spaceman_Spiff]

Hmm. I'd been wondering about mine, also. Not quite 5k miles and it sounds like a small diesel. I've heard from around the forums that direct injection was noisy, so I'm assuming mine is "normal". Figured I'd ask when I get the oil changed.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[Spaceman_Spiff]

Here's a quick video of mine. Now that I compare the two, mine is more metallic, like a tiny jack hammer. (Sorry to hijack - I can start a new thread if it gets out of hand)
https://goo.gl/photos/G9eDNoKi5RmHzhM59

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[ST.patrick]

It's all good. I posted because I was simply annoyed by the ford dealer trying to shrug off the noise, saying it was the oil pump sound making a tapping noise. I have 2 other fiesta's at home and they don't have an issue with tappets. If they were solid tappets the noise would occur continuously and the tappets would require adjusting, whereas in this case the noise begins when the car is in idle, as the oil pressure drops the tappets lose pressure. The dealer did not want to deal with the problem, because they simply had been booked out for a month due to many other issues occurring with other cars. I recommend getting the dealer to have a listen and persuading them to replace the faulty tappets. That noise simply should not be there as it can lead to further problems down the road. It honestly sounds like there is a typewriter in the engine. Thanks Spaceman_Spiff, it seems like I'm not alone. Not exactly a good thing, but you'd rather deal with an issue sooner rather than later, unlike the dealer who prefers to kick the can down the road.

 

[Intuit]

I believe that oil changes are especially hard on tappets. That's not to imply that they are a cause of a failure or that you shouldn't change the oil, that is not what was said.

An Oil Change Tip:

After filter change and oil refill, use the starter to prime the lubrication system before starting the engine.
0) Shift to neutral, with the parking brake firmly engaged.
1) Hold accelerator (electronically disables fuel injectors) and clutch pedal to the floor.
2) Press and hold Engine Start button to begin cranking.

How much you prime, is up to you. But you don't want to overheat or stress the starter motor, so avoid cranking longer than say, ten seconds at a time. Twenty to thirty total seconds cranking should be more than enough.

To cease cranking, merely release the clutch pedal or try releasing then briefly pressing the Engine Start button again.

The feature you're employing was originally meant to help clear a flooded engine, but can be readily/safely co-opted to help prime the lubrication system. With this method, there is no need to make any physical/risky changes to prevent engine starting. This also allows one to avoid the brief moment of valve-train clatter that normally occurs post oil change.

 

[M-Sport fan]

I believe that oil changes are especially hard on tappets. That's not to imply that they are a cause of a failure or that you shouldn't change the oil, that is not what was said.

An Oil Change Tip:

After filter change and oil refill, use the starter to prime the lubrication system before starting the engine.
0) Shift to neutral, with the parking brake firmly engaged.
1) Hold accelerator (electronically disables fuel injectors) and clutch pedal to the floor.
2) Press and hold Engine Start button to begin cranking.

How much you prime, is up to you. But you don't want to overheat or stress the starter motor, so avoid cranking longer than say, ten seconds at a time. Twenty to thirty total seconds cranking should be more than enough.

To cease cranking, merely release the clutch pedal or try releasing then briefly pressing the Engine Start button again.

The feature you're employing was originally meant to help clear a flooded engine, but can be readily/safely co-opted to help prime the lubrication system. With this method, there is no need to make any physical/risky changes to prevent engine starting. This also allows one to avoid the brief moment of valve-train clatter that normally occurs post oil change.

As an adjunct to the above;

Has anyone put any kind of pre-oiler/pressurizer (Accusump, etc.) on these cars yet, or is there just NO room, anywhere for it to fit?

This also helps in high G turns/sweepers on road courses and autocrosses, almost like a "poor man's dry sump".

 

[Sourskittle]

The cams have to come out to get to the tappets. The cam gears have to come off to remove the cams.The timing belt has to come off to remove the cam gears.

Its pretty big project and requires at least $150 in special 1.6L ecoboost tools.

I think its extremely likely its the DFI your hearing, they didn't have DFI 35 years ago. And DFI is not consistent in NVH.

But take it to ford and don't say anything besides its making noise by the tappets, and they will tell you the samething...

 

[Maxpowa]

I've noticed a few of these threads and a few people posting videos on YouTube about this issue. My 2015 makes the same noise since I bought it. Now with 15k miles, its still there. Some have said trying different oil types and brands, other say take it to the dealer and they'll give you a new ENGINE. Not sure about any solid answers, but rest assured you're NOT alone concerning this noise.

 

[Racer83L]

my car makes the same sound... i have a thread on here about it. thankfully its a lease, if its normal. awesome. if its not I wont own it outside of warranty.

[video]https://youtu.be/nu_h0Nvpho8[/video]