Engine Clicking Noise and Oil Pressure Guage

npw112 · Postby **npw112** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 5:21 pm

Wow so I am really freaking out that I have bought a lemon. Car is a 1989 NA6

So far in <2 weeks of ownership I have replaced a brake caliper, radiator and thermostat. Also plugs and leads.

Car is now making a constant clicking noise which coming from the engine.

The oil pressure gauge would also go down to zero when I first stop the car at the lights today. It would stay on zero until I revved the engine and then flicker up to 1/4 then back to zero a few times.

Car seamed to be running fine.

Any ideas guys?

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 6:04 pm

Gauge could be dodgy, I'd either get someone to lend you a gauge or get another one put on to check oil pressure.

If not mechanically minded or have friends that are, go to a workshop.

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npw112 · Postby **npw112** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 7:46 pm

Topped up the oil and both the Oil Pressure Gauge is now giving good readings.

Clicking Noise seams to be a lot less now too.

Will do an Oil and filter change ASAP and report back.

Cheers,

Nick

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 8:37 pm

wow very low oil then.
clicking must have been the hydrulic lifters not getting enough pressure.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 4:05 pm

its an old car. Sounds like you might not have got the car checked on purchase. If you take it to a mechanic they can have a look at it and do a compression check - that will not cost much at all. Clicking noise might be lifters but mechanic will work that out quickly.

npw112 · Postby **npw112** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 11:31 pm

It is fine now. I will monitor the oil level and pressure now that I have changed the oil and filter.

PaulF · Postby **PaulF** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 3:27 am

npw112 wrote:Wow so I am really freaking out that I have bought a lemon. Car is a 1989 NA6

So far in <2 weeks of ownership I have replaced a brake caliper, radiator and thermostat. Also plugs and leads.

Don't panic too much. All of those things are pretty normal maintenance items on a 23-year-old car. Just check it over thoroughly and service it (or get a mechanic to do that for you if you're not comfortable with it). Keep an eye out for any leaks and an ear for any funny noises coming from the engine if it really was so low on oil.

These cars are incredibly reliable so long as they are serviced correctly. Make sure that servicing is up to date, service it regularly with quality products and you will have many trouble free kilometres ahead.

StillIC · Postby **StillIC** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 8:08 pm

npw112 wrote:Wow so I am really freaking out that I have bought a lemon. Car is a 1989 NA6

Try not to worry.

Every car I have ever bought was a lemon to some degree. That's why most people sell their cars...if they were still good they would still own them. Now when I buy a car I just expect the worst and work my way through the issues one by one. I have owned my MX5 for 3 years or so and I am still woking through them! Probably always will be.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 8:19 am

buying a cheap, old second hand car - well you just have to be prepared for little things like this.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 11:01 am

Yeah, 23 YO car with 258k kms for $5k, you've just got to accept that it's going to need a bit of work from time to time. Ideally, as not all previous owners are going to be as passionate about their car as you, it's worthwhile doing a baseline line full inspection & major service so that you address many issues & potential issues before they become a problem.