Hey all. I've searched the forum high and low for an exact description of the problem I'm encountering, but to no avail. The issue began four days ago. I ran to the bank, and when leaving the bank, I started my car after just a short (5 min.) drive, and began hearing a metal on metal noise. So I drove for a mile or so and the noise was still prominent, though it only seemed to be prominent when I turned my steering wheel to the right (and on idle). I checked my oil, and I was about 1 qt. low, so I used the typical 5W-20 and fed the car about a quart of oil, and the noise disappeared. All was well over the past four days, and I had even driven 180 miles to the beach.
Last night, I started my car and the noise is back. I checked my oil level, and the oil level was fine. I decided to add just a bit more oil but was careful not to feed too much. After adding the oil, I started my car and the noise is gone. The sound almost appears as if the piston is rubbing against the cylinder wall. I do an oil change every 3,500 miles, and always use 5w-20 either castrol full synthetic or mobil 1 full synthetic. I always replace the oil filter as well. My car has about 120k miles, and I've never had any issues. No check engine light, no difference in power, no difference in gas mileage. I am currently on vacation, but I will post a video when the noise is back. For now, can anyone give me insight on what to check, etc.? I am completely lost.

 

Once you replicate the noise, can you or someone else stand under the hood of the car and verify for sure that it's coming from the engine? Based on you adding oil and the noise disappearing, I'm sure that it is.

I can't think of any reason that you would have a piston scouring the cylinder wall. You've done the 105k service already and had your valves adjusted?

 

Actually, I have not yet done the 105k service. I know it's a must, and I'll be scheduling an appointment soon for that. I know it will cost a pretty penny with the timing belt change. Hopefully it disappears with that service? Funny thing is that since I've added oil, I've started and driven my car three times (short distances) and haven't had any issues. I do expect the metal on metal noise to come back though. Thanks for your input!

 

During the 105k service, are the valves really adjusted? Any other ideas as to what the metal on metal noise may be? As I said earlier, I will post a video as soon as I hear the noise again, but it almost appears to sound like the piston scraping the cylinder wall. Hence, when I add oil, the noise will disappear for some time...

 

I had a similar problem, it turned out to be a broken flex pipe shield/rattle, which made either a lot of noise or very minimal depending on the weather(contraction & expansion). Ended up replacing it and sound went away.

These might be worth a look.

 

I doubt its anything serious if the car has not been abused and the oil has been changed regularly/properly. Could be a coincidence with adding the oil that the sound goes away. I would try to replicate the sound why someone tries to locate where it is coming from. Did you check your serpentine belt and see if it is coming from that area. maybe a tensioner or pulley needs replaced? Sounds like something in that area if it is more prominent when it is idling

 

It's a coincidence that it goes away when adding oil. The cylinders are lubed by oil flung off of the rod journals, not by any sort of splashing of the sump oil. The rod bearings are pressure lubed. It doesn't matter if its 3 quarts low, the cylinders will still get the same amount of oil. It's not valves. It's probably an accessory or accessory bearing or heat shield.

 

could you tell what side of the engine it was coming from (front, back, left , or right) could be a belt tensioner going bad on you or even an a/c compressor.

 

My car has 113000 miles. I havent replaced the timing belt and is still working fine.

 

Sorry to semi-abandon this post. I thought I would check in and let everyone know that I never did figure out the issue. I'm not too concerned because the problem is very intermittent. I haven't heard this sound since mid September.

I can tell you it isn't the heat shield because the sound is clearly coming from the engine area. I did have the heat shield replaced a few years back because it was broken.

Also, yes, it was a coincidence that the sound disappeared as I added oil. I am adamant about changing the oil every 3,500 miles. I always use either Mobil 1 synthetic or castrol gtx full synthetic. The oil level had nothing to do with the sound.

Lastly, my hunch is that it's my belt tensioner. I commute 65 miles daily to and from work, so I'm racking up over 300 miles weekly. It is odd that it has been several months and the sound hasn't resurfaced. It was coming from the left side of my engine. Should this happen again, I will have video for sure. Until then, thank you all for your input!

 

Have you had your 105k service yet?

 

Funny you should mention that....my car is going in Thursday for the 105k service.