Hi All

 

I know this topic has been covered and I've read as many of the old threads as possible but I'm still a bit stuck. I have a tapping noise that is present all the time from start (cold) to warm and appears to be at all rev ranges. It's not really that audible when the bonnet is closed but I noticed on the motorway last night that it has become very loud indeed. Especially audible during those 50mph average speed sections!

 

I've read to check the VTC solenoids by unplugging them and to try additive to the oil and/or oil change altogether. The car is about due an oil change.

 

However, I'm struggling to locate both VTC solenoid connections - I've only found one 2prong grey plug at the back of the plenum and unplugging that does nothing - where it the other one??

 

I also have a couple of unplugged connectors and I'm not sure what they are for - they certainly haven't been unplugged by me and I've not had any engine work done in a long time so don't think they're the cause.

 

Here's a video of the noise - sounds like it's coming from the centre of the plenum:

 

[video=youtube_share;bEsZZ-6OEvc]

 

And a few pics of what I can see in the engine bay in terms of connectors:

 

 

 

 

Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately I'm at my folks place so can't do much but if it's determined to be critical (i.e. important to fix before I drive back to London tomorrow) then I'll take it to a local garage around here.

 

Thanks in advance!

Have you checked your oil level and when did you last have an oil change? Sounds like lifters in the video, but the zed can trick your mind lol.

 

VVT springs iirc will be noisy at about 2.5-3k revs not on tickover, the O2 sensors look to be disconnected, which wont cause the tapping.

Has it got gradually worse as ou drove to your folks place?

Have you checked your oil level and when did you last have an oil change? Sounds like lifters in the video, but the zed can trick your mind lol.

 

VVT springs iirc will be noisy at about 2.5-3k revs not on tickover, the O2 sensors look to be disconnected, which wont cause the tapping.

Has it got gradually worse as ou drove to your folks place?

 

Checked oil level - it's good and oil still a nice dark colour. Was last changed at MOT in Jan 2013 but the car has done limited mileage since then covering approx 3k in 2013 and not much at all in 2014 as it's been off the road with clutch problems. I'm thinking to add some additive though as has been said in a few of the posts I've come across in case it is the lifters.

 

The tapping is definitely there at cold idle (I checked this morning) and they get louder with revs. I'm not sure if it stops past 5k revs or whether the noise of the engine/road drowns it out but I could hear it on the motorway when at 50mph and below. Above that I couldn't tell. I think it's gotten louder since the drive last night as last week when the video was taken it wasn't as audible.

 

It's definitely there when the engine is warm too though.

 

Can't be the O2 sensors disconnected as I changed the passenger side last weekend and ran Conzult after to check and both were showing up. Haven't touched the engine after that. Plus the two connectors I see are both female and one has been taped off. I can't find the male connector back there at all...??

The one taped off will likely be the knock sensor resistor mod.

do you have any oil pressure ?

 

From the video it sounds like the heads are not getting any/enough oil

Vig changed the oil yesterday and put some lifter treatment in it, seems to have done the trick from what he told me.

They are/were some noisy tappets!

They are/were some noisy tappets!

 

Seconded - I thought what Groover said above....

 

....Hope it's all fixed now; like Si says...:clover:

Correction on what Si said (I only just noticed the posts) - I added lifter treatment which seemed to solve the problem but I haven't yet changed the oil.

 

I am planning to do it asap now though as the tapping came back briefly over the weekend. Very odd in that it wasn't there on cold startup, developed half way to the shops (10min drive?) and disappeared by the time I came home again.

 

Anyway, on Opie Oils right now to get supplies.