16v top end noise!

[blu16v]

I have looked thro' the forums and can't find an answer so i decided to join and pose this question.

I recently bought an '87 16v, 135,200 mls, done very little mileage since bottom end rebuild 2 years ago.

I think the timing is out, it doesn't like spinning over when hot, starts OK when cold, appears to run rich and when the revs are increased to over 3k it sounds like a bag of nails in the vicinity of the distributor.
I initially thought it might be the seized weights in the dizzie causing it to pink, but after acquiring and reading a Haynes, i discovered the cam has a chain drive.

Do these chains suffer from wear?

[mk1]

Hi blu,
Yes the chains do wear and make a lot of noise, there are no weights in the distributer as there is a ign ecu that looks after the timing. You still have to set the base timing in the usual way, cant remember the settings but should be well covered in your Haynes manual.
Steve.

[blu16v]

Thanks for response Steve, I guess i'll look into getting a new chain and fitting it as it sure doesn't sound healthy.  

Apart from that appears to be a good 'un, no smoke or leaks anywhere.

[tinman]

The easiest way to confirm if it is the chain is to listen to it - and think does this sound like a fast moving chain? - sounds really dumb, but once you know there is a chain on the right hand side of the engine the noise makes more sense.

slack cam chain on 16v is more common than people think. the chain costs 40quid. once you've replaced it - you'll hear all the other noises. like the tappets.

[Veedubgt18v]

and you will think you got an old diesel

[blu16v]

slack cam chain on 16v is more common than people think. the chain costs 40quid. once you've replaced it - you'll hear all the other noises. like the tappets.

Where did you get ?40 quid from? Euro Parts advertise the chain for ?8.95. Is it best to buy a genuine VAG part?

I can already hear the tappets, they do quieten down after running a while. What's involved in changing the shims?

Thanks
Doug

[mk1]

Tappets on 16v engines are hydraulic, no adjustment. Give the engine a flush and change the oil and filter. The cam chain is less than a ?10
Steve.

[tinman]

slack cam chain on 16v is more common than people think. the chain costs 40quid. once you've replaced it - you'll hear all the other noises. like the tappets.

Where did you get ?40 quid from? Euro Parts advertise the chain for ?8.95. Is it best to buy a genuine VAG part?

VAG Counter price at the time. Personally - wouldnt put non VAG parts in the engine if you can get away with it. No point.

[Veedubgt18v]

yeah i would agree with tin. changing tappets isnt hard if you are prepared to get your hands dirty