VR v6 Engine Noise

[jono1492]

hey guys, I don't know a lot about cars, but I'm tying to learn, so bare with me.

Basically, about a week ago my engine started to make a ticking noise when I accelerated, it wasn't too loud and a mate suggested it may be the lifters, over a few days of regular use it got excessively loud(to the point where it practically drowned out the engine), a couple of days ago I did an oil change and flushed it with oil cleaner and used lifter treatment but there was no change. I thought it may be a manifold leak, but before I could look more into it it started making a really bad, kind of loud rattling noise(It's hard to explain wjhat it sounds like). It's a fairly harsh noise but I can only hear it when idling and it gets louder when steering while moving slowly.

I'm a bit concerned as I've been in and out of the mechanic and spent a fair bit of money to get it running good, before this there were no signs of damage and it had been running great.

Any help would be awesome, cheers

EDIT* I got the RAC to have a look, and he diagnosed it straight away as the front pulley, took the drive belt of and no noise, so my next question would be, where can I get a front pulley, for how much and is this something I can do myself? cheers

[sik_dose]

if its louder while steering i would look at the power steering pump and see if its leaking and/ or if the noise is coming from it. where in the engine is the noise coming from?

[westbad]

could be your big ends rattling.. hopefully for you it isnt, i would get your oil pump checked out asap (oil pressure test) because if it is the pump thats broken oil wont be circulating and it will wear out the shells in the big end pretty quick. If you keep driving it and that is the problem you will end up with a rod through the block..
Hopefully for you its just a blown exhaust manifold gasket, any rattles coming from the engine bay need to be addressed asap.. the longer they rattle the worse the problem will get until the engine goes bang!

[jono1492]

if its louder while steering i would look at the power steering pump and see if its leaking and/ or if the noise is coming from it. where in the engine is the noise coming from?

Ive just had all the power steering replaced, but it has been using a lot fluid fairly quickly, so that's a possibility. cheers

[v6lux]

You can get a short piece of garden hose and use it like a stethoscope from your engine to your ear and locate exactly where the noise is loudest or coming from, (then take 2 asprins and if the pain persists........)

Seriously, do it and get back to us! Just be carefull not to loose a finger in the drive belt at the front!

[jono1492]

could be your big ends rattling.. hopefully for you it isnt, i would get your oil pump checked out asap (oil pressure test) because if it is the pump thats broken oil wont be circulating and it will wear out the shells in the big end pretty quick. If you keep driving it and that is the problem you will end up with a rod through the block..
Hopefully for you its just a blown exhaust manifold gasket, any rattles coming from the engine bay need to be addressed asap.. the longer they rattle the worse the problem will get until the engine goes bang!

I wont be driving it fort a few days and i'll be getting it to a mechanic asap, just like I said, don't have a lot of money to keep throwing at my car. But cheers for your input

[jono1492]

You can get a short piece of garden hose and use it like a stethoscope from your engine to your ear and locate exactly where the noise is loudest or coming from, (then take 2 asprins and if the pain persists........)

Seriously, do it and get back to us! Just be carefull not to loose a finger in the drive belt at the front!

sounds simple, haha. I'll definitely take some time a give it a good look/listen over tomorrow, and post my findings. cheers

[westbad]

You can get a short piece of garden hose and use it like a stethoscope from your engine to your ear and locate exactly where the noise is loudest or coming from, (then take 2 asprins and if the pain persists........)

Seriously, do it and get back to us! Just be carefull not to loose a finger in the drive belt at the front!

Can also use a long screwdriver or extension bar, The above is good advice will give you a better idea of where the noise is coming from.

[v6lux]

Ive just had all the power steering replaced, but it has been using a lot fluid fairly quickly, so that's a possibility. cheers

If it is still using a lot of fluid, then it will only be going all over the engine or down to the ground!

[v6lux]

Can also use a long screwdriver or extension bar

I reckon, for a novice, a screwdriver or extension bar through the ear hole into the brain when it hits a moving part is not too helpfull!

[sik_dose]

shouldent be using any fluid would chage the pump if it is, i changed my pump recently and ive had no problems since. circles will ruin a power steering pump pretty quick. listen for the noise and let us know where its coming from exactly.

[westbad]

I reckon, for a novice, a screwdriver or extension bar through the ear hole into the brain when it hits a moving part is not too helpfull!

Anyone with the slightest bit of common sense wont touch a moving part.. i always find the sound travels better through a solid metal bar when trying to find the noise.

[jono1492]

If it is still using a lot of fluid, then it will only be going all over the engine or down to the ground!

That's the thing, can't seem to find any fluid in the engine bay or underneath the car, or on the driveway...thinking it's time to change mechanics

[VSIIBerlinaL67]

Just be carefull not to loose a finger in the drive belt at the front!

that happened to me, finger went around the alternator pulley didnt feel it for 10mins ended up being fractured lol

if oil pressure is good, its prob just a exhaust leak

[neet_wagon]

Yeah, I'd say it could well be an exhaust leak.

[wortus]

If you put it on stands, start it and move the steering wheel does it make the nosie? If it does switch the motor off and remove the drive belt and do it again and tell us if it makes the same noise, (it won't overheat if it's only for a minute).
Also with the drive belt off and motor stopped turn the pump by hand and see of it feels ok, do the same to the alternator and water pump as well. When these engines make funny noises it's usually one of the things bolted on it like a water pump etc. I never had to touch my VN's Buick motor other than 2 or 3 alternator rebuilds, water pump and surge tank which started to crack, CAS, Harmonic balancer and IAC valve the motors themselves seem to go forever (unless they run out of oil or coolant).
How much warranty is on the new rack and pump?

[jono1492]

If you put it on stands, start it and move the steering wheel does it make the nosie? If it does switch the motor off and remove the drive belt and do it again and tell us if it makes the same noise, (it won't overheat if it's only for a minute).
Also with the drive belt off and motor stopped turn the pump by hand and see of it feels ok, do the same to the alternator and water pump as well. When these engines make funny noises it's usually one of the things bolted on it like a water pump etc. I never had to touch my VN's Buick motor other than 2 or 3 alternator rebuilds, water pump and surge tank which started to crack, CAS, Harmonic balancer and IAC valve the motors themselves seem to go forever (unless they run out of oil or coolant).
How much warranty is on the new rack and pump?

I had a good listen today and I'm quite sure it's something bolted on, sounds like it's coming from the drive belt area. But I remembered I have free RAC road side assistance, so I'm getting a second opinion, haha.