Rattling inside the head!!

[saysomestuff 0]

Hi all,

 

My C has started making a rattling noise from the head - it sounds like someone shaking a 5p piece in a matchbox but quite a bit louder. It started when the car was warm after about 15 miles. Got home and looked under the bonnet and the noise is definately comming from the head- just in front of the throttle.

 

I know it must be something fairly serious but i'm strapped till payday and its my daily driver. Can I just open it up and have a look for something loose or should i take it into a garage?

 

Also, how much does flowing the head cost as if i'm going to take it in i may as well do that?

 

Thanks

[saysomestuff 0]

sorry to bump this so soon but i'm desperate!

[golfg60 0]

Is the car still running ok? Don't mean to sound patronising but have you got oil?

[Neverite 0]

grant motorsport in bristol quoted me £450 for flowing the head and new followers, dont know if you need new followers though lol... hope that helps some.good luck. Andy.

[saysomestuff 0]

Yeah i checked and topped up the oil on Friday (when it started making the noise). On the way into work I was taking it (very) easy and there was no sign of the noise - i'm just paranoid that it'll go boom.

 

Is taking the head of relatively straight forward?

 

Thanks for the quote Andy - i thought it'd be more than that

[stevemac 0]

If your engine gets low on oil, the hydraulic cam followers will become noisy (like you describe) as they need sufficient oil to fill them up.

[bristolbaron 10]

Sounds like followers to me too!

[thorpey 0]

what oil did you put in it?

[saysomestuff 0]

OK this is where I look dense.

I have topped up the oil with synthetic "high mileage" oil as i figured that was the best match as i know it had synthetic in there before - is it likely the folowers are damaged - i probably went about 6 miles with the noise before checking and topping up the oil.

 

Am I right in thinking that I should do a full oil change asap then? - which oil is best for the 2L valver on 125k?

 

Oh and thanks for all your suggestions so far 8)

[aide 0]

i'd only put semi sythetic in at most mate, at 125k your valver is going to pretty loose anyway! so, yeh change the oil to thicker stuff, particularly now it is summer (nearly :)

 

The whole top section of the inlet manifold unbolts pretty easily, then you can remove the cam cover and take a look - you'll have it done in a couple of hours.

[saysomestuff 0]

Yeah - i know. Next pay day will be an overhaul of the head i think - can anyone suggest a decent garage near cardiff??

 

Actually it would probably help if someone could list the best order in which to have the following done (which is my ultimate goal) and a rough cost would be nice lol.

 

New cam (schrick?)/cambelt etc

overhaul head

flow head (new valves and whatever)

[aide 0]

my local was going to charge £500 for an overhaul as it's pretty involved work for them

 

if i was you i'd find an old 16v head, get it sent to tuners for rebuilding, porting and flowing £4/500 ish, then get your local vdub specialist to fit with new cams, belt etc £200ish

 

IMHO as yours is a two litre you may as well go for the KR inlet cam instead of expense of shrick cams

[corradophil 3]

From experience.

 

1. Overhaul and flow head at the same time.

2. Replace inlet cam with one from KR engine 1.8 16v Mk2 Golf

[saysomestuff 0]

Sounds good to me - thanks Phil annd Aide!

 

Any ideas about dosh for a KR inlet cam?

[saysomestuff 0]

Oh and can you recommend a good tuners to send away to?

[aide 0]

you'll pick up a kr cam for £30!! max i'd say, in fact i've got a spare on :)

 

re tuners do a serch on here as never used one myself!! 16vg60 off here does em too i think if you PM him

[corradophil 3]

Don't know about tuners, although stealth have a good reputation.

I paid £20 for my inlet cam from a mate. I have seen them going for about £30 before.

[saysomestuff 0]

sounds good - i'll have a look around for tuners etc - how much you want for that KR cam then aide?

[aide 0]

So long as you don't mind waiting a couple of weeks, you can have it for £30 plus P&P as above, my current head is being dismantled at end of month you see!!

 

I've got positive feedback in good saleman thread if that's any comfort :)

[saysomestuff 0]

No worries - I can wait, just pm me when it's ready ;o)