Any ideas what's rattling at the front of engine when hot?

Post by **neckarsulm** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:52 pm

My car seem mechanically in good health apart from a weak thermostat and a rattle from the front of the engine when its warm.

It sounds like a classic noisy bearing on one of the pulleys, hard to describe specifically but it sounds similar to the noise a TDI makes at idle but obviously not as loud! I'd say it seems more over to the passenger side than drivers side.

Doesn't seem to be air con related so can rule that out.
It's done 30k since last belt change when it had just 2 tensioners replaced in addition to the water pump and the cambelt itself.

Should anything else have been changed as part of the cambelt change that could be on its way out at 104k miles? I gather auxiliary belt tensioner is one possibility and some sort of idler?

Thanks

Post by **sherpa** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:08 pm

Other way round for me, i have a rattle i think coming from one of the pulleys but goes when engine gets warm.

Post by **grizz** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:12 pm

There is a idler on the right side of the engine that drives the viscous fan.

Post by **neckarsulm** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:23 pm

There is a idler on the right side of the engine that drives the viscous fan.

Thanks Grizz, does it do that all the time the engine is running?

Post by **grizz** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:32 pm

Post by **neckarsulm** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:11 pm

yes

makes a lot of sense

Post by **neckarsulm** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:00 am

Had a look/listen yesterday and it sounds like it's under the timing belt cover on the nearside, is there anything in there that could make that noise?
Got the front bumper off yesterday, well get into 'service position' today.

Post by **Virdee Autos** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:03 pm

Take the aux belt tensioner off, and see that.....more than likely bearings in that will be shot! Although not sure if that will be your cause.

Post by **neckarsulm** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:40 pm

Cheers Virdee.
Got the front off and will investigate tomorrow.
It's never had an aux belt tensioner or probably a few other bits that specialists would change during a service.
Will report back tomorrow.
Good time to sort washer leak, repair & paint bumper, investigate why the horn sounds like its from a 2CV, grease oil cooler unions (one looks a but crusty but dry), do thermostat, secure centre bumper grille, oil change.

Post by **Virdee Autos** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:18 pm

Seems to be the same old common problems

Had to do my centre grille, when I did my cambelt! Pesky stupid clips!

And my horn sounds like 2CV too......they have a high and low tone horn. I'm suspecting one of mine is not working hence the 2CV sound!

Post by **neckarsulm** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:26 pm

Must be a noggy thing

Post by **Virdee Autos** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:58 pm

LOL....!!!

Post by **imolas4uk** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:04 am

run it with the aux belt off and check the noise is still present before you strip the rest

Post by **neckarsulm** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 8:46 am

Thanks! Hopefully today...

Post by **Doug_S2** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:00 am

tensioner, chain, cams??

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Any ideas what's rattling at the front of engine when hot?

Any ideas what's rattling at the front of engine when hot?

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