Help Engine noise

The Car (1915 VS) has been running well until this weekend when at 450 miles the engine started to make the most god awful noise (like loose change in a tumble drier!). It is a very metallic clatter that rises and falls with RPM. The noise started quite suddenly and I have driven about 5 miles since. Initial thought were fan related but it seems louder under the car and the same on both sides, is there anything under the fan hood that could be hitting the fan? Could both banks of rockers go loose at once?

Starts ok and seems to pull alright.

Missed the 300 miles service but it was in for that this week.

It is now at a garage who understands Beetles, trying to find out what is wrong.

Tim

Try adjusting the valves.

Does the sound change, as the engine warms up?

Tim:

To eliminate the fan as the source of noise, just pull the fan belt off and start it up. If the noise is gone, then replace the fan belt and start it up again. If it returns, then look to the alternator/fan as the source.

Otherwise, report back on what you find and we'll go from there (although it may need a valve adjustment, we can't yet tell for sure).

Gordon

The tin by the crank pulley shifted on mine and was hitting the pulley. Made the noise you describe.

Pull the valve covers and look around. I've had rockers come loose, push rods slip, nuts back off, and the like. The noise was terrible but the fix was no biggie.

Also, reach behind the motor and see if something "fell" into the fan. A couple of years ago I scored a beautiful 12 inch phillips head screw driver that the mechanic left knocking around the engine/fan/etc. on my TR6. I figured that I ought to keep it since the noise almost stopped my heart and COULD have done real damage.

If you're lucky, someone just left you a nice 13mm open end wrench and the mill is just fine . . .

Lots of LUCK!

Thanks everyone, I will have a look tomorrow at the suggestions.

One other thought, could be vapor lock and the fuel pump is rattling as it pumps dry. If you have a clear fuel filter, you can check it and if it is less than half full, you may have some vapor lock starting up. I've had a similar problem with the Alabama heat and the sound is similar to what you described. The VS fuel lines are routed differently than mine are currently so this may not be your issue at all but just thougt I'd offer it as a possibility.

Tim,

If removing the Fan Belt doesn't isolate the "Noise." Take a long 3/8" extension and place one end against the "Engine" and the other end in your hand up to your ear. You will be able to get a better idea of the location of the noise. The noise will transmit though the extension and you will be able to get an idea of where it is (Noise will be Louder.)

Good Luck,

Jack

Tim wrote: " Initial thought were fan related but it seems louder under the car and the same on both sides"

I had something similar to this years ago, and just thought of it. If it sounds like a pretty healthy rattle from deep within the engine and the fan and valves are not at fault, chances are it is a loose flywheel. Try to ascertain if it's coming from the transmission end of the engine...

If the Gland nut wasn't torqued properly when the engine was built (300 ft. lbs. is a LOT of torque) the flywheel loosens up and begins to rattle on the dowel pins. The short answer is to simply tighten it back up, but if the dowel pins have worn the holes in the crankshaft and flywheel a bit egg-shaped, then sometimes there are only three fixes:
(1.) Get the seller to pull the engine and make it right, following #2 below,
(2.) Replace the crankshaft and flywheel (a BIG DEAL) or,
(3.) If you're a destitute teenager (as I was) tighten the gland nut to 300 ft. lbs. and then weld two opposite nut flanges right to the flywheel - remember, though, that you can NEVER easily get the two apart again (or, maybe you never HAVE too!)

gn

Hmmn...
Sounds like its deep inside the engine and metallic sounds are normally coming from rods..

Do you have an oil pressure gauge in the car?

If it is a rod every time the engine makes a revolution is costing you more money to repair it as the metal is circulating through the oil and chewing up lots of other parts...

Yeah, Jake....I thought of that too. Kinda sounds like "Death Rattles" (and I hope none of you folks ever hear that sort of thing, in engines or otherwise).

For his sake, I was just hoping it wasn't a rod...

Either way, with less than 500 miles on it, the seller should be standing by it (I hope) as Tim, the owner, is in Germany.

gn

Call Kirk at Vintage. He will be able to help.
-=theron

I was up watching the news on the London Bombings and couldn't help but laugh at all the speculation by CNN/FOX/MSNBC.

I predict that the engine noise will turn out to be some sort of glitch that may, or may not, be listed in one of the posts above.

I second Theron's advice, call Kirk, and get the car checked out.

At 450 miles, this is a no brainer, call the manufacturer, and please by all means let us know what happens.

Now does anyone think Jim Guffin has noticed this thread?