Z30DT tapping noise at low revs?

[babybluemaxer]

Hello Guys,

I need some help.
Since picking up my Vectra, i've noticed a fairly loud tapping noise from the engine at very low revs?

It seems to appear when pulling off upto around 1500rpm?

Anyone else have this or have a clue what it could be?

Cheers in advance.

[Cyruskint]

Hello Guys,

I need some help.
Since picking up my Vectra, i've noticed a fairly loud tapping noise from the engine at very low revs?

It seems to appear when pulling off upto around 1500rpm?

Anyone else have this or have a clue what it could be?

Cheers in advance.

I have this on and off, usually not lasting very long. It caused me some concern as, being a long-standing Petrol Head, I had thoughts of tappets, or, worse still, bearings.

If yours is the same tapping, mine turmed-out to be less of a worry..........visited local VX garage, where fellow Z30DT mechanic (pops-up on this forum) said it sounded like injectors, and that all being equal it would eventually self-test and adjust (I think he called it a Small Quantitive Learning - SQL - but I'm sure he'll correct me here!)
Cutting to the chase - it did so in the next dozen miles and fell silent

For the first couple of miles from cold, these engines are a bit "tappity" anyway - no hydraulic tappets like the old VX 4-cylinder units

[m8internet]

When and where did you pick it up?
If it is from a garage, then most likely it has been sat idle for some time
How long since last service?

Have you driven diesels before?
Have you driven a V6 diesel before?
If not, then be aware that the whilst the cylinders are cold there is generally more noise and metallic noises, and usually more noticeable at speeds of up to 40mph
After about 10 minutes the engine should have warmed sufficiently that any noises will have disappeared

For the first couple of miles from cold, these engines are a bit "tappity" anyway

In 140K miles I've never heard this specific noise...
However whilst cold there is slightly more noise but that is due to the slightly higher revs until cold mode is switched off
Thereafter it just sounds like any other V6 diesel

[babybluemaxer]

I have this on and off, usually not lasting very long. It caused me some concern as, being a long-standing Petrol Head, I had thoughts of tappets, or, worse still, bearings.

If yours is the same tapping, mine turmed-out to be less of a worry..........visited local VX garage, where fellow Z30DT mechanic (pops-up on this forum) said it sounded like injectors, and that all being equal it would eventually self-test and adjust (I think he called it a Small Quantitive Learning - SQL - but I'm sure he'll correct me here!)
Cutting to the chase - it did so in the next dozen miles and fell silent

For the first couple of miles from cold, these engines are a bit "tappity" anyway - no hydraulic tappets like the old VX 4-cylinder units

Thank you for that mate.

I've noticed it does disappear once warm so that maybe the case.
Let's hope so anyways!

When and where did you pick it up?
If it is from a garage, then most likely it has been sat idle for some time
How long since last service?

Have you driven diesels before?
Have you driven a V6 diesel before?
If not, then be aware that the whilst the cylinders are cold there is generally more noise and metallic noises, and usually more noticeable at speeds of up to 40mph
After about 10 minutes the engine should have warmed sufficiently that any noises will have disappeared


In 140K miles I've never heard this specific noise...
However whilst cold there is slightly more noise but that is due to the slightly higher revs until cold mode is switched off
Thereafter it just sounds like any other V6 diesel

Hello mate.

I've owned a 1.3 cdti combo and a 2.0 cdti vivaro, neither have sounded as loud as this.
My mates 1.9 cdti Astra (which is knackered) doesn't sound as loud.
i have noticed that once warm though, most of the sound does disappear!

Peesonally I think I may be over thinking things!

Thank you mate.

[m8internet]

Do you hear the noise when standing at the front of the car only?
Once you are sat in the car, with the windows closed, I assume you can't even hear the engine (on idle)
If you can hear the engine, then something is clearly wrong

I love standing at the front of the car when it is on idle, gives a real sense it is a V6 diesel
Equally, when you start it up often turns heads with people asking "What engine is in that, as it doesn't sound anything like my diesel Vectra?"

[babybluemaxer]

Do you hear the noise when standing at the front of the car only?
Once you are sat in the car, with the windows closed, I assume you can't even hear the engine (on idle)
If you can hear the engine, then something is clearly wrong

I love standing at the front of the car when it is on idle, gives a real sense it is a V6 diesel
Equally, when you start it up often turns heads with people asking "What engine is in that, as it doesn't sound anything like my diesel Vectra?"

Don't get me wrong. It sounds fab on idle etc .....
I can hear it inside at low revs but it does almost become silent once warm.
Going from what has been said here, I'm assuming it's just because it's cold?!

[m8internet]

Going from what has been said here, I'm assuming it's just because it's cold?!

No, there shouldn't be any such noise

So back to my first post, how long since last service?
What mileage is it on?

[babybluemaxer]

No, there shouldn't be any such noise

So back to my first post, how long since last service?
What mileage is it on?

It's currently on 65,914 miles & the last service was under 500 miles ago!
My issue is ... when i picked it up, it didn't have a FSH.

It has a service missing between 10,000 miles & 43,000 miles. The guy assures me it was done but the service book wasn't present at the time!

[m8internet]

Ignore the miles, what dates are the services?
The Y30DT engine has 30K mile / 2 years service intervals, the Z30DT has 20K mile / 1 year service intervals

"The guy" can assure you, but without a service book or documents, that's just fresh air
At the most recent service, what oil was used?
What was actually done?

If you open up the pollen filter housing, does it look new?
If you open up the air filter housing, does it look new?

Given the service was only within the last 500 miles, the oil should stil be clear, is it?
Equally if the correct GM-LL oil has been used, it should be almost like water and drip off the dip stick with ease, does it?

[babybluemaxer]

Ignore the miles, what dates are the services?
The Y30DT engine has 30K mile / 2 years service intervals, the Z30DT has 20K mile / 1 year service intervals

"The guy" can assure you, but without a service book or documents, that's just fresh air
At the most recent service, what oil was used?
What was actually done?

If you open up the pollen filter housing, does it look new?
If you open up the air filter housing, does it look new?

Given the service was only within the last 500 miles, the oil should stil be clear, is it?
Equally if the correct GM-LL oil has been used, it should be almost like water and drip off the dip stick with ease, does it?

I will check my records when i get back home but i'm sure it hasn't had a service every year!

When i checked the oil, it was certainly fresh but i'm not sure if gm was used tbh. (Very much doubt it!)
What gradiant would you recommend? 5w30?

I will update with details after.