Hi all. When I first start the engine, there is a tapping noise for about one second - that's been the case for the last 5 years off and on, but now it's started occurring after around 5 miles of warming up, but only at between 1800 & 2000 RPM. If I drive 200 miles, the noise disappears almost completely! I feared that it was the crank at first, but it doesn't seem to have got any worse since I noticed it about 500 miles ago. From memory, whenever a crank starts to knock, it goes down hill very quickly. BTW my AIVs were removed long ago. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

When were the VVT springs last replaced?

Hi Andy. I carried out everything in the the 120K service, except fitting the VVT springs because I needed the car the next day! The car has only done 78K, so I thought they wouldn't be worn out just yet - sounds like I'm wrong lol!

Deffo worth doing those as a first try - had one car in where the owner was convinced the bottom end had gone, did the VVT springs and noise gone :)

how do you do these, i get a tapping noise at around the same revs but get it all the time, my bro in law thinks it sounds more like a blowing manifold it only does it when driving

how do you do these, i get a tapping noise at around the same revs but get it all the time, my bro in law thinks it sounds more like a blowing manifold it only does it when driving

 

I thought I heard a similar sound to a blowing manifold this morning, but it disappeared after a few miles! Maybe the VVTs are sticking so that the valves aren't closing as early as they should at lower revs and hence the noise?

 

Thanks Andy - I'll definitely change those springs this weekend;)

You do have oil in your engine right :)

have you tried unplugging the VVT plugs to see if the noise is still there ?

how do you do these, i get a tapping noise at around the same revs but get it all the time, my bro in law thinks it sounds more like a blowing manifold it only does it when driving

 

Both cam covers off, And remove the four screws on each centre cam, Becareful as they can spring out double fast, Loosen them slowly and cup your hand over it, Expect some oil to leak out, So keep some rag under sprocket, So its not to leak on to cambelt!. Remove old springs, Replace with new. You may aswell replace the rubber o-rings behind sporcket cover to!

 

greg

didnt realise they were at the front, the sound im getting is coming from down beside the battery area

 

cheers greg

Cheers fellas. I changed them tonight, but it's too late to test it now. The oil level is checked regularly and has never dropped below half way between Min & Max. Fingers crossed for tomorrow. If it's still playing up I'm gonna check the solenoid operation with Conzult.

It isn't the VVT springs:(

Sounds like one of the tappets is sticking, worn or generally become faulty

It isn't the VVT springs:(

 

ah bugger i was going to say i had the same problem - it sounded like an old diesel engine between that sort of rev range. turned out it was my VVT springs (and my bottom end had gone as well :cry: )

ps. love your avatar mate - Atari power :bow:

ah bugger i was going to say i had the same problem - it sounded like an old diesel engine between that sort of rev range. turned out it was my VVT springs (and my bottom end had gone as well :cry: )

ps. love your avatar mate - Atari power :bow:

The weird thing is that when I give it some it disappears altogether. Big ends would get much worse after a good thrashing. It seemed quieter today, so maybe the VVT system is sticking perhaps? I've still got the Atari 800 in the loft lol!

The weird thing is that when I give it some it disappears altogether. Big ends would get much worse after a good thrashing. It seemed quieter today, so maybe the VVT system is sticking perhaps? I've still got the Atari 800 in the loft lol!

 

yep ive got the tap untill i cane it then it goes....sticking hydro lifter;)

That's a relief then!!:) Maybe I'll cane it more often lol! Cheers Brian.;)