Is my engine pinking?

[jonnyb]

Ive got a strangle metallic rattle which i can hear orignating from the engine through the aircon fan bit (the one to the right of my stearing wheel)  Its subtle when idling and a speeds up with relation to the cars speed.  However, it goes silent when i coast (i.e. pop it into neutral with no acceleration)

Its a 16v gti (if you need to know) and im not running it with the super unleaded (as ive read on other pinking threads)

I will be servicing it within the next few days, hopefully the weekend, so new spark plugs, oil, oil filter, hopefully will pick it up a little.

If anyone has any other guesses as to what it could be, that would be awesome.

[Rmachines]

Doesnt sound like pinking to me!  Detonation/Pinking will happen under acceleration, If its making that noise while ticking over it would get louder when you put you foot to the floor, infact it should pink every time he accelerator is pressed hard.

Sounds more like a pully/tenssioner or mabey pump bearings?

[jonnyb]

Does that mean replacing parts of just a bit of tinkering with what ive got?

[Wayne]

Could be a heatshield as well.

[mumbles]

pinking is useally only under load.. isn't it??

[jonnyb]

I had a quick browse under the bonnet today and found the timer belt cover is loose and has a snapped fixing, so im hoping to get a new one of eBay tonight.  Its for an 8v, im sure it will fit? mine is a 16v gti mk3.

Could that be the source of my noise?  It doesn't sound plasticy tho :S

[Wayne]

I think a 16V is different an 8v

[jonnyb]

Today whilst i was driving i noticed the noise again grrr, but this time it fell silent when the car was sat at lights. Took a little time to stop, as if it was something vibrating on something else, then it lost its vibration and stopped hitting whatever it was hitting.

Although im not sure if it will solve it, what can i use to hold my timing belt cover still, just to eliminate it as a suspect.  Duck tape wont be safe will it?  Not sure if the engine heat will melt it.

[jonnyb]

Well had a butchers at the timing belt cover, and managed to get it back to the correct position.  Not managed to fasten it securely, but will hopefully get a new one at some point.  Stopped the tapping though yay, no more stupid noises.

[jonnyb]

Well my noise has got worse over the last week or so, found a clip on youtube of an engine which sounds like mine does:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5gM6H9U73s

They seem to think its the valve lifters,  so i thought i would check on here and see what some Vdubbers recon.

If this is the likely culprit, how much am i looking at to get a garage to fix it?  And how much for just parts?  (as i may know i guy who could do the job for less than a garage)