Loud clacking at start up

[CREEP]

My car has developed a very loud clacking noise upon warming up. Sound is most prominent when it has been sitting for a long time. My neighbors undoubtedly despise my car when I warm it up at 6:30. Did a search and found people with similar sounding problems, but they didn't go away after their cars warmed up like this does. Seems every start up it lasts longer. It is just irking me that it could send a piston through the block any day. Does sound like it's in the head, but I understand that even a spun rod bearing could sound like the prob. is in the head. Oil level is fine. All timing marks line up fine. Pulled the valve cover to poke around a bit and the the rockers that didn't have cam lobes on them were all tight (which was the majority). Took one off and it was a pita to get back on which I think is because of my bigger cams (or maybe it's normally pretty hard?)

Another thing I've noticed here recently is the timing belt to be tracking on the passenger side and developing some grooves on the top. Understand this could be from the oil pan bolt. I proceeded to go through the all of the easily accessible bolts to hopefully find a short one of the bunch to no avail. I'm gonna pick up a swivel extension to get the three or four others that I couldn't get with a regular extension, or I may just grind the damn bolt down.

Anyhow, if anyone could give me some insight to this clacking I would be much appreciative. Thanks!

 

[blktalonawd]

There is one major point to make with your post and that is that the belt is tracking to the passenger side. I have had 3 4g63s do the same exact thing and all three ended up being the oil pump shot and the balance shaft was throwing the bearing in the block. When the bearing goes bad it allows the shaft to sag lower int the bearing journal and allows the pump to try to support the shaft and well it does not do this for long. The pump will ground its way into the housing and will eventually sieze. the belt tracks funny due to the pully being angled from no support on the balance shaft. Some times you can get away with a new pump and gears, t-belt, and bs eliminator and be ok, but if the shaft has beat the block all to bits where the bearing goes then getting a bearing to seat in there to up the oil pressure when you remove the shaft with the elimination kit, then you will have to either get a new block or pay good money to a machine shop for them to machine the oiling hole closed. Read the vfaq.com - under engine and balance shaft elimination if you have not already, goodluck

 

[CREEP]

Had a new oil pump and bs eliminator kit put in fairly recently though. Hrmph. Probably time to buy a daily beater.

 

[CREEP]

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Video for reference.

 

[DSMGraveyardinc]

That sounds nasty, I wouldn't drive it until you find the problem... I've seen a lot of balance shaft bearings let loose and beat the block to death, I would guess it would sound a lot like that.

Good luck,

Jon

DSM Graveyard Inc

 

[jdodds]

Whoa.... Quit driving it now. The first thing you should do is check your timing marks and maybe do a compression test to determine the health of the motor. Do you have any mods on the car?

 

[Defiant]

Holy f. Sounds like a dry lifter, or some other valvetrain failure.

 

[andy4g63]

Holy f. Sounds like a dry lifter, or some other valvetrain failure.

X2 on a dry lifter, at least that what is sounds to me.

 

[Colt4G63 also]

I've had two N/A 4g6-'s that sounded like that upon startup, and the noise always went away when it warmed up. I never was quite sure if it was my timing cover, or my oil pump, but it always made me cringe. For what it's worth, I never had a problem, and I drove them all over the eastern US that way. The first, (a 4G61 still running) got swapped out for a 4G63, and the 4G63 (still running fine) got swapped out for a built 4G63T. I used the same (4G61) front cover on all three, and I don't seem to have the noise so much anymore, so It's still a mystery to me.

Ps. It sounds too fast for a lifter noise, that's what kinda makes me think it was the turbine shaped fan thingy on the back of the harmonic balancer touching the cover. Crank expands, noise stops.

 

[Defiant]

Sounds too strong for it to be the HB fan blades striking plastic.

I guess you could pour in a can of Restore, and see if maybe that does anything. I don't think it could do harm at this point.

 

[turboglenn]

Ohhh...that don't sound good.. My first guess would be to third the notion of ca completely failed (collapsed lifter) If you don't have a spare to try out ihave about 5 sets of them from 1 and 2 G cars...let me know if you want one...cover teh dollar for shipping adn i'll send you a few to try, i KNOW all of teh ones i have are good and i just finished aoking and cleaning a set of 1g's and will be taking out my 2g's in favor of some topline units this thursday.. let me know via PM if you want a couple to try. (sounds about like my fidanza can gears rubbing the timing cover from the studs being too long until i clearnaced it for them)

Do this first though...take a long screwdriver, put one end to your ear, then touch the other end in vaious spots around the valve cover and such.. you'be be surprised how well you can pin-point a noise with such a crude listening deice.. I actually use to have a broom handle that was cut to about 2 feet long for this sole purpose before i got a mechanics stethescope which isn't much better in all honesty

let me know if you want them lifters

 

[andy4g63]

Glenn is right, but you are better buying a statoscope/not sure for spelling/, like the one doctors use. They have these foe cars too.

 

[toofast82]

Like Defiant said, try the Engine Restorer. It seems to quiet the 1g lifters pretty good. Try the 6cyl can possibly.

 

[CREEP]

Holy cow guys! Thanks for all of the feedback! I've been really freaking busy at work but I haven't driven it, and hope to get into it a bit this weekend. I have another short video here. Is it typical for the belt to be this loose?

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

What do you mean the belt being "this loose"?^^^ What am I missing??

 

[VETTE_50_TH]

Did you guys see the timing belt move when he revved it? Whoa.

James

 

[CREEP]

What do you mean the belt being "this loose"?^^^ What am I missing??

Click the pic..it's a video. A minute or so in I get down to eye level with the camera to show the belt's tightness (or looseness).

 

[jdodds]

STOP STARTING THE CAR!!! That belt looks waay too loose. Heres a shopping list for you.

OEM timing belt
OEM tensioner pulley
OEM idler pulley
OEM hydraulic tensioner
Compression tester


I would almost bet that youve skipped a tooth somewhere and the sound you can hear is a valve tapping the piston. It might not be enough to bend it but enough to make a sound. You can see if thats the case by unplugging your CAS, tying your throttle body open, and giving it a compression test. Youre not supposed to do it cold so the numbers might be slightly low. You will still be able to tell if something is wrong by the results.

 

[CREEP]

STOP STARTING THE CAR!!! That belt looks waay too loose. Heres a shopping list for you.

OEM timing belt
OEM tensioner pulley
OEM idler pulley
OEM hydraulic tensioner
Compression tester


I would almost bet that youve skipped a tooth somewhere and the sound you can hear is a valve tapping the piston. It might not be enough to bend it but enough to make a sound. You can see if thats the case by unplugging your CAS, tying your throttle body open, and giving it a compression test. Youre not supposed to do it cold so the numbers might be slightly low. You will still be able to tell if something is wrong by the results.

Relax, that was from the same start as last video. It's been sitting since.

 

[CREEP]

I meant to get back with you guys here but I don't have internet at my house for the time being. The tensioner was shot....the arm was resting on the body, no gap at all. I think the belt being cold combined with the timing being advanced more on start up it was letting the valves hit. Still seems to track towards the passenger side so i'm not sure about that, but it's not terrible.

Thank you!

 

[PhillTSi]

I have a 92 tsi that does the loud clacking at start up, and continues, no matter how warmed up it gets. but when reved above 2,500 rpms it goes away. What could this be? (I only did this a cpl times) its parked until further notice!

 

[WickedQuikAWD]

If it goes away after it is warmed up, it could be the lifters. Revised lifters or solid units usually solve the problem. The video you posted was gone when i got here, so it is hard to say without hearing it. It could be rod knock or a cracked piston. Sounds like that tend to be an engines death rattle, be careful and try to find a more specific location that the sound is emanating from. Another video might help, but then again it could hurt your engine to start it again. Best of luck.

 

[TenjinChan36]

I am having a similar problem. Please see my video for a walk around the engine bay:

YouTube - What is this noise!?!

Any suggestions are appreciated. It gets quieter (but doesn't go away) when warm and also sounds much better after a fresh oil change. I am new to engines so I don't want to take anything apart since it's my daily driver I depend on for about 50 miles a day.