Strange engine noise - what could it be?

[Ginger Beer]

Just dropped the oil. No glinting out anything in it. Looks clean.
Ram a magnet through it and it didn't pick up any bits of metal. That's a promising sign I guess.

So after checking for the source of the noise more thoroughly, it sounds like the noise is coming from the torque converter?
Is that a common thing?

Whats the transmission oil look and smell like?

Might be time to drop the trans oil and pull the pan and filter

Does it do it in all gears as well as neutral?

If you can get the car safely up on stands and start the engine you can use a large long screwdriver like a stethoscope

 

[Vatzz]

Whats the transmission oil look and smell like?

Might be time to drop the trans oil and pull the pan and filter

Does it do it in all gears as well as neutral?

If you can get the car safely up on stands and start the engine you can use a large long screwdriver like a stethoscope

Yeah, it makes the noise in park, drive and reverse. Haven't driven it far enough to get it out of first gear though. The trans oil smelled fine.

I'm just going to take it to the Holden dealer Monday. It's got a recall or two to do as well so maybe I'll see if I can get it all done at the same time.

 

[Vatzz]

So heard back from Holden today.
They said it's the cam and lifter.
Quoted approx $7-8k best case scenario and if there's internal damage it may need a new long motor which will cost approx $13k.

Well god damn it.

 

[Skylarking]

@Vatzz what model and year of car do you have as your signature shows VT Calais but they didn't have an L77?

I'm also curious what the Holden dealer said was the cause of the fault?

Me, @ 180,000 kms, and well self serviced, I'd expect the engine should still be going strong. But i'm sure Holden wouldn't want a bar of any discussion around ACL statutory warranty as they'll pin all the blame on lack of professional servicing

 

[Vatzz]

@Vatzz what model and year of car do you have as your signature shows VT Calais but they didn't have an L77?

I'm also curious what the Holden dealer said was the cause of the fault?

Me, @ 180,000 kms, and well self serviced, I'd expect the engine should still be going strong. But i'm sure Holden wouldn't want a bar of any discussion around ACL statutory warranty as they'll pin all the blame on lack of professional servicing

Yeah, my signature is over ten years out of date!

It's a 2013 VF SSV Redline wagon.

The Holden dealer didn't tell me what the cause is. They haven't cracked the engine yet and wanted me to say I'm willing to pay that much money first. They will call me in a few days with an update apparently. I dropped it off last Wednesday and they told me I'd get a call that afternoon but only got a call today so I won't hold my breathe...

Yeah, I can't imagine they would want a bar of any warranty either. Especially considering its got a full Harrop 3" and tune. That would definitely get them to void any warranty I guess.

I've always serviced it every 10,000 and always been meticulous. It's never had a fault before so I suppose it's just one of those things...

 

[Ginger Beer]

I would definitely get a second opinion on it

If you cannot pull the vavle cover to take a look take it to a shop that can, look for a performance shop that specialises in Holden V8's

Without at least removing the cover how did they come up with a cost, they are probably testing the waters to see how much money they can get out of you

It could be a busted lifter, bent rod, rocker which isn't that expensive

Drop Holden like Holden dropped us, typically Holden are a pack of theives

If you don't have glitter I would hazard to guess that it isn't catastrophic

 

[Skylarking]

Yeah, I can't imagine they would want a bar of any warranty either. Especially considering its got a full Harrop 3" and tune. That would definitely get them to void any warranty I guess.

I've always serviced it every 10,000 and always been meticulous. It's never had a fault before so I suppose it's just one of those things...

An exhaust and tune will have no material impact on the cam, lifters, pushrods or rockers (which haven't been touched)...

For them to denie ACL statutory warranty claim requires owner abuse (not servicing) or mods tat contrinuted to the isseu (which they have to prove and as mentioned exhaust doesnt imact valve train)...

So, like GB suggested, I'd go elsewhere for an second opinion.
And since your old man was a mechanic, i'd get him inot the mix to have a listen and lookie lookie (if he's stil able to )...

 

[Vatzz]

An exhaust and tune will have no material impact on the cam, lifters, pushrods or rockers (which haven't been touched)...

For them to denie ACL statutory warranty claim requires owner abuse (not servicing) or mods tat contrinuted to the isseu (which they have to prove and as mentioned exhaust doesnt imact valve train)...

So, like GB suggested, I'd go elsewhere for an second opinion.
And since your old man was a mechanic, i'd get him inot the mix to have a listen and lookie lookie (if he's stil able to )...

Lockdowns just make life really hard to do anything and risking fines every time he comes up. I told Holden I need to think about it so I'll have a chat to him, might give HPF call who did my exhaust and tune and see what they say.

 

[Skylarking]

Lockdowns just make life really hard to do anything and risking fines every time he comes up.

As was discussed in another (heated) thread, having a working car is a requirement in our car centric society, for mundane things like weekly essential food shopping and getting to work (if that is permitted). As such, unavoidable car repairs can be considered an essential activity in itself if you only have one car…

So If you need to do something to your car, check the rules on the COVID government website or ring the COVID hotline and ask whether the activity is permitted. Lots of stuff is actually allowed if framed correctly… Just take COVID safe precautions

As to the root cause of the issue, who knows but engines shouldn’t be shitting themselves at 180,000km unless they are not designed for durability, which would make it an ACL statutory warranty issue

 

[hademall]

So I started my car today and it started making a really strange noise. It appears to be coming from inside the engine.
Engine oil is full and I've removed all of the belts to see if it was a bearing but no luck.

Here is a video of the engine idling to show you what it sounds like...

I’m certainly no expert, so there’s that. Could it be an air leak? I know that sounds a bit out of left field, but may be worth checking for.