16v jumped a tooth (maybe)

[Philpy]

Right im trying to determine what the rattling is thats coming from my engine. Its to loud to be tappets and not timing chain, but it does seem to be coming from the top of the engine so hopefully not bottom end.. 

If it has jumped a tooth would the valves be catching the pistons? I havent driven it since it started so can this be rectified easily and would this cause a loudish knock/rattle? Also it smells a quite a bit of petrol which it didnt do before!

Thanks for any advise!

[Gambit]

if its jumped a tooth then the timing marks wont line up on the cam & bottom pulley

[Chesh]

I had a very similar problem with mine ('89 16v) a few weeks ago, it suddenly sounded like someone was hitting my rocker cover with a lump hammer very fast and I had very little power, thought it had dropped a valve!

I had it investigated and it turned out that a chunk of my head gasket had blown out so that cylinders 3 and 4 had become one and the noise was the mother of all pinks! There was no smoke, no water in the oil the only sign was the hissing noise on the compression test and the readings were out on 3 & 4 compared to 1 & 2.

I'd advise getting it compression tested but don't drive it to the garage, I had to drive it for 3 miles from when it started making the noise (out in the sticks) to get back to my mechanic and when I had the head gasket replaced the head was very badly scorched. :embarassed:

Good luck, hope you get it sorted.

[Philpy]

Thanks mate, exactly how loud was the noise?

[miggs2002]

i have just fixed this problem on mine mate, does the noise seem to go quieter at as you accelerate?

mine turned out to be the bigend bearings, they were about £35 from gsf, you will also need a torque wrench and sump gasket and new oil, i thought mine was top end noise, i replaced the tappets, valve stem seals, valves, guides top pulley wheel, crank pulley wheel, and tensioner wheel, just to find it was the bearings at the bottom! lol