9 replies to this topic

[AlexHillTVR]

Hello gents, wondering if any of the gurus among us could help diagnose a new problem with my VXT? I've already posted this on the Facebook group but often find more wisdom on here.

 

Car starts and drives fine. When started from cold there is this scratching sort of "tch tch tch tch" noise present, which seems to be emanating from the cam belt cover side of the engine. The noise increases in tempo with revs but doesn't get any louder. The noise also gets quieter as the engine warms up and once fully warm the noise is no longer there. 

 

According to the service history the cam belt and water pump were both replaced in May 2019 (less than 3,000 miles ago) along with the auxiliary belt as part of a C service by Neil Garner. The engine oil level is currently 3/4 up the dipstick and was changed in May 2020. 

 

I have taken a video which seems to capture the noise quite well, especially at the end, here: https://youtu.be/t5aJ0_acDXY

 

When listening to different parts of the engine with a long screwdriver it was clear this noise is loudest when pressed against the top of the cam belt cover and not audible at all when pressed against the top cam cover.

 

Is this serious enough to warrant getting the car trailered to Back on Track? Any help or pointers would be much appreciated.

 

Alex

[gaffer1986]

Well, ticking could be hydraulic tappets but scratching leaves me scratching my head.

[Johnboyhgt]

I'd take the cam belt cover off, you really don't want that failing. 

[Madmitch]

I recall many years back having a squeaky scratchy noise which vanished instantly when one of my clever friends sprayed the dynamo belt with WD40 or something similar.  I'm not sure that would be a good idea with a timing belt but might just be worth changing the belt to eliminate it.  The tappety noise sounds - like tappets!

Edited by Madmitch, 14 September 2020 - 09:05 AM.

[AlexHillTVR]

I'd take the cam belt cover off, you really don't want that failing. 

 

Is it easy to get off John? I assume access is just through the drivers side rear wheel arch. Will I need those female torx sockets?

[Johnboyhgt]

Allen key iirc. Yes through wheel arch.

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[AlexHillTVR]

Just for reference here is how the car sounds after a 5 minute warm up (totally fine) : https://youtu.be/UFHxWbMU8DA

 

Checked the manifold today and there doesn't appear to be any obvious sign of cracking, but only with my very limited view from the top, so I'm not ruling it out. I will get the wheel arch liner off this weekend and do some deeper digging and take the cam belt cover off.

[AlexHillTVR]

After chatting with Chris Redman today, having a listen to the timing belt cover and having the cover off and running it I'm sort of leaning toward it being the exhaust idler pulley. Weird that it quietens down when warm but will change it with an uprated metal roller from the Z20LEH and go from there. Hopefully that shuts it up and I can get that weight off my mind!

[gaffer1986]

Good luck, I hope it sorts it.

[AlexHillTVR]

Just a quick update on this. Replaced the exhaust idler pulley with the metal LEH version supplied by Chris last weekend. Seems to have stopped making the noise now