Loose Metallic Noise

[Woznaldo]

I'm look to the engine experts here, but open to all suggestions. Right, whenever I rev my C1J beyond 3000 rpm I start to here a noise like something metal is loose. My first thoughts are that it is either the Valve Train of the Timing Chain/Tensioner. I haven't has a look yet, but it just doesn't sound nice.

I have a 2.5" TB Exhaust and in the top half of the rev range the metallic noise?

What else could make this noise?

Thanks Ladies and Gents

[GTphil]

I'm not trying to teach you how to suck an egg, but are you sure it's nothing external?

I have had the heatshield on the inlet manifold make a similar sounding noise.

Or on the rear engine mount i had a square washer that was sat inside the mount (of you know what i mean) and this made a similar noise, both were revs related, only after a certain rpm.

Also if you continue to struggle to find it use the old screwdriver in the ear trick, or a steth to try and narrow it down.

if it's the timing chain a screw driver should confirm it easily.

Worth checking the tappets also, my bro had a nut that came loose, its sounded like a bag of bones tho and was present all the time.

[Dave Reed]

I had a noise like this once, turned out I'd melted a couple of pistons :crap:

It sounded to me like a timing chain issue, but wasnt.

[GTphil]

I had a noise like this once, turned out I'd melted a couple of pistons :crap:

It sounded to me like a timing chain issue, but wasnt.

Certainly worse than a loose washer:laugh:

[Woznaldo]

It's a good point Phil. I haven't looked for anything externally loose, but will do so in the morning. I don't think it's the problem, but I'd be more than happy if it was that easy.

I'll try the 'Screwdriver' technique as well.

[Woznaldo]

I had a noise like this once, turned out I'd melted a couple of pistons :crap:

It sounded to me like a timing chain issue, but wasnt.

Well now I'm worried! :eek:

[Romil Davda]

I had this happen to me.... It was a loose heatshield on the Inlet manifold (as Phil states).

[Andy M]

Similar noise happened to me some time ago, I was convinced it was tappet adjustment or mild piston slap. Endless tappet adjustments later I noticed a very faint click noise when turning the engine over by hand which was consistent on the same pot, pulled the engine and stripped it down to find a fubar cam! (lobes pitted)

Are you 100% sure the noise isn't there under 3k?

[Woznaldo]

I'm going to give the car the once over this morning and report back here.

[Woznaldo]

No that I've been out and given everything the once over, I can fide nothing loose or out of place. I did fire up the engine and listen with a screwdriver, but it wasn't that long so I could only really do the various points along the head.

I can confirm that the noise is there all the time, it just drowns out the exhaust above 3000-3500 rpm! It definitely sound like Valve Train to me so I'm going to have the Rocker Cover off and check for anything loose or excess play. I'll check the valve clearances too.

[Trevhib]

Amongst all the other considerations, it's not a blowing exhaust manifold gasket is it? That produces a metallic ticking noise that can get very loud (and louder as you go up the rev range).

[mingblus3]

I had the same thing and someone had used metal cable ties to secure the exhaust heat shield thermal material to the pipe. One clip had come loose and slipped down to the bottom of the exhaust clamp causing it to rattle like mad.

[Woznaldo]

I tried to record the sound, but it sounded like crap and you could differentiate it above the other sounds. Basically it sounds like an old skool sowing machine.

I checked all my valve clearances this morning and I loosened one off a little and tightened one up a bit. No change in sound. When I had the rocker cover off I also had a good look and feel of the Rocker Gear, but all seamed normal. Nothing excessively loose or tight.

I may just order a new timing chain and tensioner, just to rule them out?

[Dave Reed]

Have you been driving it hard at all? I'd do a quick comp check

[TNT ANDY]

Skippy,

I had an awful load of noise and the car still ran well. I'm assuming you have a 285 in there or something as harsh.

I changed my cam after inspecting mine which was just like Dave Reeds I think which is mentioned above somewhere. Mine was pitted to buggery and was making an already noisy cam set up even noisier.

Just thought I'd mention it.

[Woznaldo]

The Cam and bottom end are all standard. There's nothing coming from the manifold. It's not a ticking noise.

I have had the car on a driver training/track day, but it wasn't continuous laps, just a series of sprints. It had the same noise before too.

[Trevhib]

There's nothing coming from the manifold. It's not a ticking noise.

:agree: