Hi For those reading my build thread you will have seen that my 8v Digifant has been ticking loudly since I purchased it last year. After putting some wrongs right inc fixing the timing I've recently thrown a can of Wynns lifter cleaner in it and around 5 days later the tick has improved 100%.
Spray wd40 around the inlet and see if the Rpms increase. If the exhaust is leaking you'll see sooty deposits. Could be a Nick on the aux belts or a pulley? Flywheel tipping on the tin plate shield around the bell housing?
Can you find exactly where the noise is coming from? Is it louder when you take the oil filler cap off? Try using a length of wood (cut down broom handle works well) with one end on the engine/alternator/anything else and your ear on the other end. You'd be surprised how well you can hear a knocking sound and pinpoint it.
following with interest, i gave in and just had the cylinder head rebuilt, just waiting to get it all back together and hear the noise again
It's going to an old timer specialist this morning to have the suspension sorted. He's going to take a look at the same time.
Specialist took the sump off and checked the oil pump and strainer but it was evident these were new and someone had already been in there. So moving to the top of the engine he is convinced that the oil pump or strainer probably failed at some point and has ruined a lifter. So I'm going to chuck a new set in plus the 270 Autotec camshaft and cambelt and hopefully that will do it
It is tempting to try I must admit. However I have the parts and it needs a cambelt anyway so I think I'm best off just chucking the lot in and enjoy the 270 cam.
I drive it everyday for around 35 miles a day minimum. Combination of A roads, duel carriageway and town. Why do you ask?
Possibly little end, especially if the engine had been starved of oil, low oil pressure. If the big ends are on the way out (almost a certainty with low oil preasure) the piston can tap the head..
All I can say is take it to bits and then assess the crank and rods. Personally I would favour a good unopened 2nd hand engine over rebuilding one thats been run out of oil. You can re-grind the crank journals to a degree but if you go throught the hardening it won't last long. I've seen plenty of failed rebuilds over the years, a the bearing material blocks the crank and head oilways..
Ok figure this out. 2 days in a row I've been driving the Golf after the above work. Both days the engine is still tappy initially. Then, after I've been driving for about 5 mins it gets quieter. 10 to 15 mins later the sound has virtually gone. I'm thinking exhaust!? Sealing a bit as it gets hot. And sealing as it moves when turning right?
