Help! What's this loud ticking noise?
Discussion
The car (Monaro VXR500) has suddenly (and I mean it literally started on Saturday and hasn't stopped since) making a loud ticking noise from under the bonnet, specifically coming from the engine, and it ticks quicker/slower in sync with revs. It ticks probably once every half-second or so at idle, and it's fairly loud - put it this way, you can still hear it even over the noise of the Wortec exhaust, and even with the windows shut.
First thoughts with something like that is always low oil but I can pretty much rule that out - I regularly check the oil level and it's fine (just below max), oil pressure gauge is absolutely spot-on at all times, and it only had a full service and checkover at Monkfish less than 2 months ago. Since then I've done a maximum of 1,000 miles, so given the above it surely can't be related to low oil.
I wondered whether this sounded like tappet noise? If so how big/expensive a job is this to sort, and should I avoid using the car until it's sorted? (To be on the safe side I've left it on the drive and will keep it that way until I have an idea what's wrong and can get it sorted!).
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks all!
First thoughts with something like that is always low oil but I can pretty much rule that out - I regularly check the oil level and it's fine (just below max), oil pressure gauge is absolutely spot-on at all times, and it only had a full service and checkover at Monkfish less than 2 months ago. Since then I've done a maximum of 1,000 miles, so given the above it surely can't be related to low oil.
I wondered whether this sounded like tappet noise? If so how big/expensive a job is this to sort, and should I avoid using the car until it's sorted? (To be on the safe side I've left it on the drive and will keep it that way until I have an idea what's wrong and can get it sorted!).
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks all!
Sorry to hear of your woes. I know this isn't very useful but is there any way of locating where the noise is coming from, other than the engine bay of course. Is it at the front near the belts, is it coming from the heads? Or is it from deeper within the engine like the bottom end/crank etc?
Thanks for the replies, I will video the noise when I get home this evening and post it up.
Quite hard to describe (and be accurate about it) but I'd say the noise sounds like it's coming from the bottom bit of the engine. As you're looking into the engine bay (ie you're facing towards the car) the noise seems louder if you lower your ear towards the left hand side of the engine, lower down. It doesn't sound like it's coming from the belts, and it doesn't sound like it's coming from the top part of the engine. It's quite hard to pinpoint though.
It didn't start doing it after any particular type of driving as such, it just started ticking when I fired it up on Saturday morning having been fine on Friday, and it hasn't gone away since then. Makes no difference whether the engine is warm or cold, the noise is just as loud. The only thing worth mentioning is that it's a constant rate on tickover, and speeds up as the revs rise.
Hope that's any help? I'll definitely get a video up later.
Cheers everyone!
Quite hard to describe (and be accurate about it) but I'd say the noise sounds like it's coming from the bottom bit of the engine. As you're looking into the engine bay (ie you're facing towards the car) the noise seems louder if you lower your ear towards the left hand side of the engine, lower down. It doesn't sound like it's coming from the belts, and it doesn't sound like it's coming from the top part of the engine. It's quite hard to pinpoint though.
It didn't start doing it after any particular type of driving as such, it just started ticking when I fired it up on Saturday morning having been fine on Friday, and it hasn't gone away since then. Makes no difference whether the engine is warm or cold, the noise is just as loud. The only thing worth mentioning is that it's a constant rate on tickover, and speeds up as the revs rise.
Hope that's any help? I'll definitely get a video up later.
Cheers everyone!
ked piston!djwilk said:
Are these engines really prone to have problems after a while? Or is it only on the modified ones?
FI on stock engines is an issue for some... basically the OEM pistons are not made for force feeding and break sometimes. Go forged when you can afford it and you will have no issues unless your after 4 figure dyno printouts.RedWings said:
The car (Monaro VXR500) has suddenly (and I mean it literally started on Saturday and hasn't stopped since) making a loud ticking noise from under the bonnet, specifically coming from the engine, and it ticks quicker/slower in sync with revs. It ticks probably once every half-second or so at idle, and it's fairly loud - put it this way, you can still hear it even over the noise of the Wortec exhaust, and even with the windows shut.
First thoughts with something like that is always low oil but I can pretty much rule that out - I regularly check the oil level and it's fine (just below max), oil pressure gauge is absolutely spot-on at all times, and it only had a full service and checkover at Monkfish less than 2 months ago. Since then I've done a maximum of 1,000 miles, so given the above it surely can't be related to low oil.
I wondered whether this sounded like tappet noise? If so how big/expensive a job is this to sort, and should I avoid using the car until it's sorted? (To be on the safe side I've left it on the drive and will keep it that way until I have an idea what's wrong and can get it sorted!).
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks all!
First thoughts with something like that is always low oil but I can pretty much rule that out - I regularly check the oil level and it's fine (just below max), oil pressure gauge is absolutely spot-on at all times, and it only had a full service and checkover at Monkfish less than 2 months ago. Since then I've done a maximum of 1,000 miles, so given the above it surely can't be related to low oil.
I wondered whether this sounded like tappet noise? If so how big/expensive a job is this to sort, and should I avoid using the car until it's sorted? (To be on the safe side I've left it on the drive and will keep it that way until I have an idea what's wrong and can get it sorted!).
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks all!
Thinking about it, if it is as slow as every 1/2 second (ish) its more likely to be cam/lifter related related
My first thoughts of what it could be on the engine are the same as these guys mate. Cam, lifter and piston - especially if it an un-intercooled VXR500.
Although... without hearing it first hand I suppose it could be one of a few things.
Could it be smaller things such as pulley bearing, oil pump, water pump, timing chain, etc?
Whatever it is - I would get it checked out as soon as possible.
Better to be safe than sorry buddy.
Although... without hearing it first hand I suppose it could be one of a few things.
Could it be smaller things such as pulley bearing, oil pump, water pump, timing chain, etc?
Whatever it is - I would get it checked out as soon as possible.
Better to be safe than sorry buddy.
Edited by Tiger_kpt on Tuesday 16th March 09:13
Okay here's the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbMozf3gQc8
The noise is easier to make out a little later into the clip. Having gone back to it it's a little bit quicker than every half a second or so on tickover, but not much quicker.
Oil pressure is fine at all times, oil level seems to be fine, performance doesn't seem to be affected in any way. The car isn't modified in any way over and above the usual VXR500 spec.
Hope that's helpful, any ideas what this could be?
Thanks again!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbMozf3gQc8
The noise is easier to make out a little later into the clip. Having gone back to it it's a little bit quicker than every half a second or so on tickover, but not much quicker.
Oil pressure is fine at all times, oil level seems to be fine, performance doesn't seem to be affected in any way. The car isn't modified in any way over and above the usual VXR500 spec.
Hope that's helpful, any ideas what this could be?
Thanks again!
stevieturbo said:
Still difficult to say. But Im going for a broken piston.
Not the news you want to hear though.
Bugger Not the news you want to hear though.
Does anyone know what sort of bill it would be to repair this? I'm not very technical but I'm assuming it's a rebuild, do all pistons need to be replaced or just the knackered one?
RedWings said:
stevieturbo said:
Still difficult to say. But Im going for a broken piston.
Not the news you want to hear though.
Not the news you want to hear though.
Bugger
Does anyone know what sort of bill it would be to repair this? I'm not very technical but I'm assuming it's a rebuild, do all pistons need to be replaced or just the knackered one?
Really depends on the damage, assuming it is a piston (likely). If the bore is recoverable with nothing more than a light hone, then it can be done in situ with the head and sump off and a new piston.
Problem is, if you then find the block needs work, its still got to come out. Which isn't really much more work in itself. If the bore is damaged then its going to be a complete stripdown to rebore the block, then new pistons etc etc.
Damn, this all sounds like a load of arse to me
Thanks for taking a look for me though everyone - Monkfish I'll be emailing you soon to get it booked in by the looks of it! Probably the worst possible time this could've happened but I guess that's life. I need 2 new rear tyres as well, may as well just get it all in one hit. That'll be a nice bill..
Thanks for taking a look for me though everyone - Monkfish I'll be emailing you soon to get it booked in by the looks of it! Probably the worst possible time this could've happened but I guess that's life. I need 2 new rear tyres as well, may as well just get it all in one hit. That'll be a nice bill..
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