Identify this noise?

[peter hh]

My run around has starting making a noise, so now it sounds like a tractor/diesel engine even though it's petrol.

Sounds to me like it coming from the timing belt but I had that and the water pump changed about 2 months ago.

Any ideas?

http://tinypic.com/r/2nta815/8
Sound^

[peter hh]

Bump....

[peter hh]

It's a vauxhall astra 1.6 petrol sxi, high mileage of about 140.000. It's the car I use for getting me to and from work.

The oil warning light hasn't come on.

[peter hh]

ManFromDelmonte said:

Is it low on oil?

Looks like this was the problem, I've topped it up and the noise has gone. I'm usually pretty rigorous with checking oil, water etc but have been extremely busy and neglected the run around.Thanks to those of you that replied helpfully.


Couple of question though.

Would it have caused damaged having not much oil?

And why didn't the oil light come on?

scarble said:

I expect it's related to the cowboy belt change you had done recently, the one that caused a snapped alternator belt.

The change could have been better or it could have been the fact the belt was old and worn. But it wasn't a backstreet garage.

[peter hh]

littleredrooster said:

...

peter hh said:

And why didn't the oil light come on?...

In the vast majority of cars, the oil light is not a level gauge, it is a warning of imminent disaster as the pressure has dropped below a critical level and the engine is about to lunch itself.

When the light comes on, there is little or no pressure in the main oil gallery, hence no oil going to the moving parts of the engine. At motorway speeds, this could mean about 10-20 seconds before a large bang happens. 5 seconds running at speed will irreparably damage stuff like main- and big-end bearings.

Never knew that. Thanks for the info fellow.