Topic

Hi Guys, I need your help on this one:
Since last sunday there is a annoying ratle from the top of my engine, it seems that it comes louder when throtle is aplied to a certain rpm, although when throtle is aplied like it's been driven with an egg under it it's barely noticable and also in 4th and 5th gear it's next to normal.
Overtaking a car it sounds like if someone threw a spanner in it
My technical skills on cars is very basic but i don't have the idea that this comes from the valves, but I try to sort out what the problem can be before I bring it in for repairs.

I drive a '97 1.8 VVC that has 145.000 km
drivebelt is replaced at 80.000 km
5 layer metal shim headgasket
oil consumption is 1l /1500 km, oil level is normal.

sugestions anyone?

It sounds as if something is not tightened up properly in the engine bay. It could be any number of things but if you suspect it is around the top of the engine, then try the exhaust heat shield, also check that the engine mountings are tightened properly.

the sounds seems to come out of the rocker cover
(when idle and boot open)
I'll try to get a link in to the video I took:

I really thought that I had properly introduced myself in the new members section when I subscribed on this forum

Sounds more like a internal engine issue,at a guess vvc mechs,cams or crank.

I've read at Mike Sature's that the bolt from the VVC disc sometimes loosens up (I'm somewhat in the woods now..)

Hi and welcome

VVC mechanisms are know to get noisy.

Can you post a video?

James

Perhaps some flushing additive like the Wynns for hydraulic tappets may help. Have heard the VVC mechs can be noisy but luckily the two that I had had dealings with were not.

My first V V C 1998[ new ] was a bit noisy but all the others have been O K. The latest one has 65k miles and no noise.
Mike satur does recommend if you take the head off to do head gasket you should also drill out the oil way feeding
the v v c mech as he says it is not big enough

I also fitted the Mike Satur uprated cam wheel bolts as they can snap. Russell did one a while ago where one of the cam wheels came forwards and started wearing away the cover, fortunately engine was stopped before damage was done,

Have also heard of a loose spark plug making rattling noise.

Yes good call, loose spark plug

Let's check that first to avoid an awkward moment at the garage..

Do worn down sparkplugs also count?
I can understand that it runs on idle, and starts protesting when there is a more dense mixture in the cylinder that doesn't want to ignite properly.. the mixture ignites to late and makes the engine run rough.
I think we call this pingelen in Dutch

I get fresh ones tomorrow, an certainly hope the bigend bearings and the rest of the engine have not been damaged..
One of the sparkplugs has an oily residue that might indicate leakage / loosend up