Mystery (and possibly worrying) Noise

solarsailor · 20th May 2017, 11:41

It only happens occasionally but, when the car is stationary, I can sometimes hear a ticking noise from the engine when it's at idle speed. The best description I can think of is that it's like the sound an older engine without overhead cams would make when the tappets needed adjusting. Any ideas on what it might be and whether it could be serious would be welcome. Thanks.

Andrew

simondhopkins · 20th May 2017, 12:19

could it be chain rattle from the timing chain?

With the engine running pop the bonnet and try and hear where the sound is coming from, if from top of engine to the left as you look at it probably timing chain tensioner, if from the front left then possibly air con clutch or serpentine blt tensioner failing.

suzublu · 20th May 2017, 12:26

Courtesy of T-Cut http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...07&postcount=4

solarsailor · 20th May 2017, 13:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by simondhopkins

could it be chain rattle from the timing chain?

Thanks, but it's a petrol engine so doesn't have a chain.

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzublu

Courtesy of T-Cut http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...07&postcount=4

Thanks; an interesting read and I certainly can't rule out that as the cause. However, T-Cut does talk about a cold start and I've only ever noticed it when the engine is warm, so I'm still interested to discover if there could be any other possibilities.

stevestrat · 20th May 2017, 13:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by simondhopkins

could it be chain rattle from the timing chain?

Diesels have chains, 1.8 and V6 are belts.

Try the long screwdriver to your ear trick, see if you can narrow down where its coming from.

Phill_190 · 20th May 2017, 13:20

Maybe the purge valve?

Yorkshire GOC · 20th May 2017, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phill_190

Maybe the purge valve?

Beat me to the punch - some sound like a tappet

20th May 2017, 11:41	#1
solarsailor Posted a thing or two 75 Saloon 1.8T Club SE Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Colchester Posts: 1,225 Thanks: 87 Thanked 653 Times in 344 Posts	Mystery (and possibly worrying) Noise It only happens occasionally but, when the car is stationary, I can sometimes hear a ticking noise from the engine when it's at idle speed. The best description I can think of is that it's like the sound an older engine without overhead cams would make when the tappets needed adjusting. Any ideas on what it might be and whether it could be serious would be welcome. Thanks. Andrew __________________ This vehicle was born on Wednesday June 4th 2003 @ 08:24:38 This vehicle was the 73,905th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 1,862nd 75 1.8 T Club SE to be made out of 3,980 This vehicle was the 6,856th 75 in Wedgewood Blue to be made out of 7,515 Wedgewood Blue 75s

20th May 2017, 12:19	#2
simondhopkins Loves to post Vauxhall Vectra C Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Burnley Posts: 445 Thanks: 179 Thanked 88 Times in 62 Posts	could it be chain rattle from the timing chain? With the engine running pop the bonnet and try and hear where the sound is coming from, if from top of engine to the left as you look at it probably timing chain tensioner, if from the front left then possibly air con clutch or serpentine blt tensioner failing.

20th May 2017, 12:26	#3
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,959 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	Courtesy of T-Cut http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...07&postcount=4

20th May 2017, 13:20	#6
Phill_190 Gets stuck in MG ZT Saloon Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Kent Posts: 653 Thanks: 36 Thanked 97 Times in 74 Posts	Maybe the purge valve?