This is going to be bad isn't it.........

[shep-mk2]

Today my world collapsed.

Driving back from a friends as he is going to sort out my brakes for me and as I pulled up at some traffic lights I noticed a really ominous tapping noise which increases in velocity with my revs.

I've only had the car a couple of months and I have just finished restoring the interior and sorting the electrics out, literally the first time out since the dash went back in!!!!

I am really keen to do as much of the work as possible but this sounds big.  Can anyone advise me on what the problem might be and if I can fix it myself, also a general idea of the cost would be nice.  It's due an MOT at the end of this month and i'm convinced it's going to fail miserably, heartbroken.

Please tell me the 8V is going to be okay..............please 

[dan7]

Either cam or big ends at a guess? Not the end of the world! 8v engines are ten a penny and are a piece of wee wee to fit!!!

[Conker]

First step... Get your head under the bonnet and try and locate the source of the noise. It could be as simple as a belt needs replacing (cheap), the cam belt and tensioner are worn (not too bad) or the head or block are worn out (£££), or any one of hundreds of other possibilities.

[shep-mk2]

Appears to be coming from around the left hand side of the block, I think it occured when I changed to third instead of fifth during overtaking (gearbox is a touch sloppy, I thought it added character!!!).

Everything you guys said is really helpful but sounds costly, lets start with the big stuff, how much for a used 8V engine....brace...............

[Diamond Hell]

£30-50 maybe?

Go find a 2E in a Passat- same sort of money, easier to find, more torque.

[danny_p]

if it started doing after an accidental downchange  it sounds like you may have murderd the bottom end, swap it out before it goes bang

[Thom89]

Might not be as bad as you think, if you buzzed the engine missing a gear change, then you could easily have just strained the exhaust manifold, and its now blowing, this can create a clicking type of noise..
Tom

[Ben Lessani]

Just the obvious, but have you checked your oil levels? G/box and engine.

[shep-mk2]

Thanks for all the suggestions fellas.  Unfortunately, I wouldn't have a clue how to diagnose any of these faults.  Is there a visual indicator that will give away what has gone wrong?  I have no issues with taking stuff to bits and putting it back together, just wouldn't know if it was wrecked unless it was completely obvious!

Thanks again for the help, i'm wondering now if I should upgrade to 16V and treat myself to power steering, but I think that would also mean changing the steering rack wouldn't it?

[Diamond Hell]

Go find a Toledo 16V, or a rotten Golf3 16V, drop the front sub-frame including the rack and swap it into yours - widetrack, powersteering, cable change gearbox and ABF 16V motor all in one go..... you ARE handy with the spanners, aren't you?