Corolla engine tapping noise

I have a 1998 Toyota Corolla with 130000 miles. Lately I have noticed a tapping noise coming from the engine when it is cold, I can hear it when the engine is in parking and also when it's running. I put new oil to the car and the noise keeps appearing and then it disappears when the engine is warm and has been running for awhile. I appreciate if you could help me on this one!!!!

Reply 1 : Corolla engine tapping noise

As long as the noise goes away when the engine is warm, you are still OK. Sounds like the valve clearances may need to be adjusted. The 1ZZ-FE engine is pretty noise, even if running well, my 2002 sounds like an older diesel truck for the first 5 minutes or so before the engine warms up and then is is fine. Been doing that since 90K miles, I have almost 180K miles on it now - runs very well, doesn't consume oil, all original sensors, and returns ~34MPG+ HWY mileage consistently.



Worn timing chain guides and worn timing chain tensioner can also attribute to alot of the tapping noises from the valvetrain. If you are feeling adventurous - you can tear down the timing cover and check the chain for stretch and if the cam gears/timing chain guides are worn.



You can try different brand of motor oil or even switch to a high mileage oil. Many have seal swellers that help condition the rubber o-rings and gaskets. They also tend to quiet down the sound of the motor. Some semi-synthetics and full synthetics are the same way.



Good example is Pennzoil Platinum vs Mobil 1. Both yield very good UOA (Used Oil Analysis) results, but PP makes the engine seem much quieter. The downside is I dropped about 5-10% in overall fuel economy. Viscosity wise, the two oils are close, but the PP tended to stay in grade or even thicken up toward the end of the oil change interval. M1 tends to run a little thinner anyways, and can shear down significantly depending on the conditions.

Reply 2 : Corolla engine tapping noise

Adding to what fishexpo has already said, I have also noticed different noise levels with different oils. Mobil 1 was noisy as hell, upon switching to Amsoil it was considerably quieter. I recently switched to the German made Castrol Syntec 0W 30 as I was trying to find something a bit more readily available than Amsoil and IMO, my car runs smoother and quieter than it has in the past. More noticeably at startup because it's a 0W but it also seems more well behaved at idle.

Reply 3 : Corolla engine tapping noise

My 94 DX was a little noisy too at first starting, especially in winter, it had almost a "ticking" sound. But the car ran fine, and once it warmed up fully, the sound dampened.



My newly acquired 06 S even sounds like it has a slight "tick" sound at idle when first started.



Pretty sure it's normal. My 94 and 06 almost sound indentical at idle. The only thing that's different is the exhaust note. My 94 sounded different probably because the exhaust was getting old.