VRthumping noise

[Mike/Cvet]

Hey everyone,

My car has a problem, when sitting in the car i hear this thumping noise coming from the rear end of the engine, its not a ticking noise, but its like a light thumping noise, anyone got any ideas to what it could be,

[Jxw]

broken exhaust rubber and maybe it's hitting the floor or part of the rear suspension?

[Mike/Cvet]

I think you missed understood me, i mean the thumping noise is coming from rear of the engine somewhere

[Jxw]

ahh, could be something to do with the flex plate/torque converter or a bearing in the engine, hard to really pinpoint that one from the description, without actually seeing it.
does the noise change between putting it in D/R and N?
Try to locate it, i've seen using a length of garden hose as a makeshift stethoscope mentioned here before to aid in things like this.

[Mike/Cvet]

yeh it changes noise when changing gears, when its in drive the noise is more noticable than when at the lights n on N, what could it be?

[FstStig]

I was going to say, take the live body out of your boot... But saying that these days isn't always socially acceptable.

Put the car up on ramps or axle stands, disconnect the battery, get underneath and remove the 2 15mm bolts that hold the starter motor in.
Get a light and a 16mm spanner or 1/2" rachet, get someone to manually turn the motor via the harmonic balancer until you see the torque converter bolts.
There will be 3, make sure these are tight.

[Mike/Cvet]

sorrry if this sounds stupid, is there torque convertor inside the motor? So what im doing is removing the starter motor, turn the motor manually till i see the t/c bolts? correct me if im rong, will try it tomorow much appriciatte it.

[Mike/Cvet]

sorry if this sounds stupid, is there torque convertor inside the motor? So what im doing is removing the starter motor, turn the motor manually till i see the t/c bolts? how do i get to it? isn't it between the transmission and engine? correct me if im wrong, will try it tomorrow much appreciate it.

[FstStig]

That's pretty much it, much easier with 2 people, 1 to turn and hold the motor and another to check the tightness of the bolts.

[Fenix_Longbow]

I would check the engine mounts actually... Everytime you have a gearshift, the torque will rock the engine and if your mounts are shot it will make a solid thump kinda sound.

[Mike/Cvet]

nah its not the engine mounts, i already checked it buy pushing the engine to the left n right while its running. Just got home will check it when the motor cools down, are the bolts just tighten hand tight or more?

[aussie4life11]

my ellerys manual says that it should be tightened to between 40 and 45 NM of torque. when i did mine i think i was told that it should be between 60 and 80NM. i did mine to 60 but i think you should follow what other people say and do the standard. no doubt other people will tell you all sorts of different stuff.

[FstStig]

They will be tight, but you should still be able to crack them with a Rachet.... I could anyway. If not, just get a piece of metal pipping for leverage.

[Mike/Cvet]

They will be tight, but you should still be able to crack them with a Rachet.... I could anyway. If not, just get a piece of metal pipping for leverage.

Arnt they suppose to be not tight, didnt you tell me to check if the bolts are tight? So am i unscrewing them or tightening them?

[Jxw]

if they are lose and causing the clunk noise they might be hard to turn if the t/c has moved/not sitting properly with the flex plate..
undo them, then tighten back up.

[Mike/Cvet]

do i undo and tighten back up one at a time

[FstStig]

do i undo and tighten back up one at a time

Yes, otherwise you might find you are pulling your gearbox out. These aren't a long thread bolt, only very short, so get a feel for the first one as to how long it is, so you know how far to unbolt the other 2.

[Vlad01]

I would check the engine mounts actually... Everytime you have a gearshift, the torque will rock the engine and if your mounts are shot it will make a solid thump kinda sound.

Yeah I get this with my pacemakers when turning hard left.
The engine tilts towards the right side and one of the primary pipes hits and vibrates against the chassis rail. Make this loud thumping sound. Sometimes in idle it will occasionally thump here and there from the slight lumpiness of the v6.

only 5mm gap with my pacemakers and the chassis rail :/

[Fenix_Longbow]

I was told by a local mechanic that when you buy extractors for these engines to buy new engine mounts to stop this from happening... lol! Looks like he wasnt wrong! He is the sterotypical old country guy that is covered in oil and grease, has that old wrinkled leather face, dry and sharp humor but majorly blunt, always carrying a can of VB in one hand and a smoke in his mouth... But am forced to admit the quality of his custom mandrel exhausts are exemplary! Price is quite cheap considering the finished product...