VN Calais engine problem (and pics)

[VNCalais98K]

Hi All,

Just purchased an 88 VN Calais, and have a strange noise that I hope someone can shed some light on.

When driving (mainly under load) between 1500rpm and 2100rpm (predominently 1800rpm) there is a rather obvious rattle noise, almost like what youd expect if there was stones in the muffler except that its from the front of the engine.
Im tossing up between either a dodgy AC bearing/compressor or a loose timing chain or the unknown.
Went to a mechanic who took a quick look and 'guessed'- I use that term loosely - that it might be the chain, but then said he didnt know and that his brother that usually does the diagnostics is away...
Theres no effect to the power output of feel of the engine, and fuel economy is also quite good with an average 11.8-12.1L/100km.
Worth noting is that the whole car has only 99,000km on it (98,960km when i bought it) so whilst i expect body and suspension to fall apart, I would be hoping that the engine is in good nick.
I have noticed that when i first start the car after its been sitting for a few hours that it doesnt make the noise until after a couple of minutes of driving.
Also, I checked the crank pulley and that has very minimal play in it, which also suggest something else than the timing chain.

If anyone has had this experience, or can suggest what I should be checking would be great...



Anyway, back to the purchase...

1988 VN Calais, 98,960km on odo when purchased
Hayman-reese towbar
Immaculate interior
Good engine (apart from rattle)
Above average body (for age)
Light tint on rear passenger and back windows.

Only plans so far are aftermarket alarm/immob (getting installed on weekend), CD Player/Splits/6x9 (swapping out of my old car), and probably darker tint.
MAAAAAAYBE some rims... but I dont want to attract any unwanted attention from people with wandering hands.

Heres some pics:
Car Front (bonnet not quite straight, but noticed this with a LOT of VNs)

Car side/rear

Interior pics (notice no cracks in dash - I was impressed)

Engine Bay

 

[jack.mc]

That engine bay is immaculate! I thought mine was good! Nice looking car, very clean.

 

[KaleJudd]

hey dude theres a good chance its your harmonic balance, they are made out of a some sort of rubber or something and if it falls apart too much before getting replaced you could possibly saying goodbye to your radiator.

 

[Emackulation]

Yes, a very nice clean car mate. Im also thinking the harmoic balencer?

 

[F&B]

hey mate have a look at ur harmonic balancer and you'll see the center bolt holding it in then a ig heap of rubber followed by a small outer ring of metal that the belt rides on. inspect the rubber for any cracking especially around the the outer edge if you notice some cracking its prolly time to replace it, if you dont and it spins ( and if seen it happen heaps) the timing becomes totally F*^$#d and it will rattle its head off and be as gutless as theyre not that expensive to buy new and are a piece of piss to change. fair chance that it is the source of ur worries its a typical problem on V6 commo's

 

[VNCalais98K]

What do you mean say goodbye to radiator? what sort of damage are we looking at?

Is this hard to replace? costs involved?

Ive replaced timing belts on CA18s before, so im guessing this would be more or less the same difficultywise.

Harmonic balancer... hmmm... what does this do? and where can i find it?

 

[F&B]

right at the bottom of the block big round circle the belt goes right around it

 

[Emackulation]

Yeah, its located righ in the centre down the bottom, the biggest pully/circlethingy that the best rotates.

 

[VNCalais98K]

Cheers, i'll check it out tonight.

 

[Doctor Bob]

sounds like the vn timing chain rattles

Rob