tick tock

[frankerooney]

Just a quick question - anyone any ideas what could be causing a ticking noise in my dx engined scirocco - doesn't do it when it's cold, just when it's warmed up. And it's not hugely loud - quieter than tappet noise anyway. Just would like to know where to start....

Cheers

[VeeDubGTI16v]

what engine? if its dohc cam chain?

[frankerooney]

dx engine - it's KJET - same as the older golf models - 8v (wouldn't mind the 16 tho!)

[richandhazel]

Is it on acceleration i.e pinking? Or all the time?

[frankerooney]

Hi
It's all the time when it gets warm. I guess I'd say it's more noticeable when driving past parked cars or a close wall with the window open, but I'd say it still happens at only 2000 revs or so and under light loads. I've just replaced the head gasket, and I think it was happening before, but then the gasket went just after I bought the car  so I can't remember. If it's any help, it seems to be coming from the back of the engine bay, so it's probably not tappets, but sound being reflected from the pistons or valves or something.
  Sticking piston rings?

Cheers.

[davidhawkins_78]

When the Head Gasket was replaced who did the work ??

Is the ignition timing spot on - what oil was used after the rebuild

The tappets used on these engines are renound for being noisey anyway - VW say they should last up to 80k and need changing or, rattle - rattle - rattle !!!!

[Rob mk1]

A m8 of mine had the same problem, does the noise sound like the exhaust mainifold blowing, if so, his was a sticking bucket in the head. flush the engine using cheap oil(not engine flush) and then replace with decent oil + new filter. Thats assuming yours has a hydraulic head.

ps when you flush it, run the engine until hot, then dump the cheap oil.

Hope this is the answer.

[frankerooney]

So we think it might still be a tappet? I had a look at the them all when I redid the head gasket myself  - perhaps that's the problem! It was my first HG..
Anyway tappets felt ok, but I guess I should give them the piece of wood pushed down on top test to check for movement. I thought tappets would show up when the car is cold more??
I also read somewhere that sticking piston rings give a ticky noise?
Oil is morris' multivis 10w40 semisynth stuff - seems pretty good oil - I phoned the company and they said it's 50/50 mineral to synth mix, which is good for semisynthetic.
Cheeers

[davidhawkins_78]

It's not so much that they rattle - more they resonate @ a certain rpm when warm ( as you've found). Mine's exactly the same, and seeing as I'm hopefully getting a new engine in the next year can't be bothered to change them !

If you wanna be dead sure get some feeler guages out and check the clearance @ BDC from the tappet to the bottom of the cam lobe. I'm not sure of the exact clearance, but you should fine one or more have a greater clearance.

Hope this helps ....