Engine sounds a bit like a diesel engine

[TorqueEffect]

Ever since I bought had this Festy, which as been for about 16 months now, it has always sounded like this, but has always ran fine.

I know it is almost impossible for any of you to be able to pinpoint without being able to listen to it yourself in person. I originally put it off since it sounded normal, but hearing other people's B3s running at Ohiostiva made me realize, something isn't all right with mine, while other's were quiet as can be, mine would make a racket while idling.

Karl briefly took a listen, mentioned something about possibly being valves.
Now the PO did tell me this engine is from an 89', but I have no clue whether it was from an 89' Auto, or Manual. So I don't know if it has the solid lifters, or hydraulic. Now I assumed it was hydraulic because I would occasionally get lifter tick on startup, but would go away after about a minute of running, and I think only hydraulic lifters do that.

Also I have never touched the timing on the car, since I have never found anyone with a timing light, but I don't think timing has anything to do with this.

I will try and record the engine noise, but it probably won't be all that clear.

[TorqueEffect]

Here is the video.

http://youtu.be/3YTh_ZBCZU8

The noise in the video came out better than what I had thought, thought it wasn't going to be heard over the exhaust, but the noise is about all you can hear in the video.

[gergorian]

Have you pulled the valve cover and taken a look? also, you can pull the valve cover without removing the trottlebody and then start the car to see if the noise is easier to find.

[TorqueEffect]

I have had the valve cover off before to change the valve stem seals, but that was a while back. I wasn't concerned with the noise it at the time, but I can say that the rockers were all a healthy bronze color, no sludge at all. But that has nothing at all to do with this conversation.

It does seem louder though toward the front of the engine (Passenger side) but other than that, it is hard to pinpoint.
Maybe using a screw driver as a stethoscope would help me track the noise down.

[gergorian]

Yeah, Im thinking it could maybe be the timing belt tensioner or a collapsed tappet if it is hydro.

[TorqueEffect]

Would a collapsed tappet, and lifter tick sound different?

Also the tensioner can be that loud? isn't it just a bearing and a spring?

[jake88maro]

I seem to have a similar issue to this, when i start it on a cold morning i get the tick for abour 20 seconds then shes good to go but i also am hearing this same noise. havent dug into it yet but i'm betting a bad lifter in my case. did you hear my blue car at ohiostiva??

[johnmt]

I have an 88 and an 89 that I drive and both have similar sounds coming out of them. I think that the early years were solid lifters and iirc the manual says that adjustment interval is 15K miles. I have never adjusted mine but am planning to soon. From some motorcycle experience with solid lifters, I wouldn't ever expect them to be as quiet as hydraulic. If you adjust them to be quiet, you may risk valves not fully closing and with the result being lost power and/or burnt valves. I think that the screwdriver (or stick) stethoscope method will definitely pinpoint the source.

[getnpsi]

It souds like exhaust leak and valve at the same time could be both. On both for that matter.

[jake88maro]

the more i listen to it i feel as if its a valve.. hmmmm.....

It souds like exhaust leak and valve at the same time could be both. On both for that matter.

[TorqueEffect]

the more i listen to it i feel as if its a valve.. hmmmm.....

Well if that is the case then it will just have to sound the way it does. As long as it runs right? lol

I seem to have a similar issue to this, when i start it on a cold morning i get the tick for abour 20 seconds then shes good to go but i also am hearing this same noise. havent dug into it yet but i'm betting a bad lifter in my case. did you hear my blue car at ohiostiva??

Nah I really didn't get a good listen to your blue car unfortunately.

It souds like exhaust leak and valve at the same time could be both. On both for that matter.

Well I do have a major exhaust leak since I am STILL waiting to get the adapters welded so the intermediate pipe is attached and sealed against the cat. The person I am waiting on has been super busy lately with setting up his own repair shop, so he hasn't had the time.

I was actually afraid the exhaust would be the only thing that could be heard in the video, that why I was surprised that the noise is almost the only thing you actually hear in the video and not the exhaust.

[getnpsi]

Make sure your plugs havent unthreaded themselves. Its happened to me before, sounds like an exhaust leak, because it is.

[FestYboy]

ok, vid sounds like tappet noise. sounds more like the engine has solid lifters (past experiance). likely rocker lash is out of adjustment. even when the engines are within spec, they sound like singer sewing machines. hydro rockers "fix" all that.

i can confirm that the noise is NOT a bearing sound so that rules out the timing tentioner and alternator bearings.

[TorqueEffect]

ok, vid sounds like tappet noise. sounds more like the engine has solid lifters (past experiance). likely rocker lash is out of adjustment. even when the engines are within spec, they sound like singer sewing machines. hydro rockers "fix" all that.

i can confirm that the noise is NOT a bearing sound so that rules out the timing tentioner and alternator bearings.

Would Hydro rockers setup swap right in?

[FestYboy]

yup, no mods.