Ticking Linked to Revs

[MikeVR6 0]

Picked up my new Corrado yesterday. 1995 Storm in Mystic Blue.

Gave her a good going over before buying, including a hard test drive checking the brakes, handling, etc.

All good.

All engine fluids good. Oil at max on the dipstick. No mayo in the oil and coolant nice and clean. Car was just MOT'd this week too.

92300 miles on the clock. Bought the car from a Copper so don't suspect any antics.

 

On the drive back to Germany from Birmingham I noticed she was running much hotter than my previous VR. Oil temp went up to 136 degrees at one point!

Averaging around 120 degrees for most of the trip. I was driving her fairly hard, cruising at 110 - 120 mph on the continent.

Had the common heat-soak problem preventing startup when I stopped for fuel. Passed after 10 minutes.

More worrying is this:-

 

Driving with the window down, I hear a "ticking" noise which increases in tempo with engine revs.

It sounds just like a bicycle chain turning. Coming from the top of the engine. I was too tired to investigate much. But did notice half a litre of oil had been used on the drive back (500 miles). I topped this up and switched the car off for the night.

Is it safe to drive her? Anyone seen a similar problem?

[Richardshoes 0]

Hi mate.

1 litre for 400miles? Dude, I hope it's a leak. Where did you buy it?

[MikeVR6 0]

Maybe not a litre. It was at MAX when I picked it up. When I arrived in Germany it was about 1/3 over the MIN mark.

 

I'm still knackered from the 10 hours travelling. Apologies for not making that clear.

Picked her up from Birmingham. Car was previously owned by a forum member.

[Richardshoes 0]

I would go direct to the forum member. He/she will know it's past. If you think they are lying to you, I'd name and shame them on here.

[MikeVR6 0]

I'm not complaining about the seller. I had every opportunity to check the car over and test drive it. So no probs there.

I drove the car at 120 mph + for much of the trip back. And coming from the UK, the car's probably not used to doing more than 80 mph. So it's likely my hard driving that's caused the problem. Bloody fun drive it was too. Bumped into a bunch of Gumball Rally-ers on the way through Belgium.

 

I just want to know if this ticking noise is a huge issue or something easily fixed and if I can drive the car in the meantime.

[MikeVR6 0]

Just checked the oil bottle. It was only 500ml I used to top it up. Still a little excessive for a 500 mile trip though.

 

Any ideas on the ticking?

[mimjed 0]

when were the chains last done? same noise on tickover or just when driving?

 

to be fair most old cars would burn oil averaging over 100mph for 500 miles. keep an eye on it but i wouldnt be too concerned at the mo.

[Skyway 0]

Just thinking.... what grade oil have you used to top up with?

 

Sometimes you'll get a ticking noise on start up from the hydraulic tappets especially if you've used the wrong grade of oil but to use that volume of oil seems a bit excessive for that mileage unless you have a leak even if the oil temperature is high.

As the noise is rev related it obvious that it's mechanical so wise not to ignore the problem. Could be chains/guides etc :shrug:

Suggest you do a good visual for leaks then maybe an oil change (with a good grade and make of oil) to see if there's any difference then take it from there.

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Just checked the oil bottle. It was only 500ml I used to top it up. Still a little excessive for a 500 mile trip though.

 

Any ideas on the ticking?

 

Not at 100+ mph for hours it isn't, as already said.

 

If the noise is there hot and cold, i would look for a split in one if the exhaust gaskets.

[MikeVR6 0]

If the noise is there hot and cold, i would look for a split in one if the exhaust gaskets.

 

How do I check that Kev?

It's illegal to work on your car in a shared garage in Germany. So I gotta be careful when I poke under the bonnet. Ozervise I vill be reported to ze Gestapo! :hitler:

(always wanted to use that smiley!)

[MikeVR6 0]

Just thinking.... what grade oil have you used to top up with?

 

Quantum Synta Gold 5/40 Fully Synthetic. Still sounds like a bicycle even after topping up.

[tandino 0]

Can you get a sound/video clip on your mobile host it somewhere and post the link here?, easiest way to hear the noise...

Regarding the oil, how long did you leave it after switching off before dipping and adding the half litre?, all the oil might not have drained back to the sump so the reality is you might have added only 300-400ml of actual used oil, think you can see what im trying to say.

Many VR's use a litre every 1000 miles under normal driving, at those sort of revs and oil temps i wouldnt be surprised to see high oil consumption, why VW never fitted a air fed oil cooler ill never know, i got my VR's oil temp upto 160'C on the Nordschleife, luckilly i knew that it was going to be the case and i was running 5W/60 Shell Helix racing oil.

Might be a good idea if your going to doing lots of high speed Bahn blasts to fit a Mocal, guess what im doing today!, Ring trip in 4 months!

[MikeVR6 0]

The oil use doesn't really bother me. I expected to burn a bit off on the journey.

What does worry me is the excessive temperatures. 138 degrees is pretty scary. Plus this noise coming from the top of the engine.

I'll make a video clip later and post it up.

Think I'll look into getting a Mocal. Where does it fit in the engine bay? It's pretty crowded in there!

 

If you're going to the 'Ring give me a tinkle. It's only 60 mile from me and I go there once a month.

[tandino 0]

138 is a bit high, mind you my old one used to sit around 118-120'c at high speed cruise in the summer..

I guess if your rad is a bit old and crusty and your thermostat is not opening fully then that might help a little but i still think the VR's do not have enough cooling on the oil side of things in what is a very cramped engine compartment.

Mocal cooler sits on the front crossmember in front of the water radiator and has a sandwich plate which replaces the existing water to oil heat exchanger.

Im out to the Ring in August from the 13th - 17th, 16 of us going this year and yes koln is only 50 miles away so your more than welcome to come and join in 8)

 

Cheers Pete.

[MikeVR6 0]

Took the car over to the Bosch serice center where I work.

Had to go there anyway to get an Emmission Control Zone sticker for it.

 

He had a listen, shook his head and sucked a bit of air through his teeth. He said it needs some serious engine work. Not something he would take on. But he gave me the name of a place that rebuilds engines. He reckoned €3k for a rebuild.

 

Not really satisfied with this diagnosis though. So I've put feelers out on the German forums for a VW Specialist in the area. Hopefully someone will come back to me. The bloody thing was only built about 100 miles away in Essen!

[MikeVR6 0]

This is exactly what mines doing........

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6abuQAvV ... re=related

 

(This is not a video of my car BTW)

[tandino 0]

Sounds like dead tappet/s,

Might be worth you dropping the 5w/40 out and sticking some 10w/40 in,

How long has the oil been in there?.

is it doing it all the time or only when cold or hot?

[MikeVR6 0]

It's doing it all the time.

I have 6 litres of magnatec here. I'll get the garage to change the oil for me.

 

If it's tappets. Is it safe to drive?

 

I think the last service was 10k ago. So it's due anyway.

I'll be changing the oil every 5k from now on. Previous owner didn't have the £££ to run a VR.

[tandino 0]

Well lets hope it is tappets.

Magnetec is not my favourite choice of oil but its got to be better than whats in there.

Fingers crossed..

[MikeVR6 0]

Ok. Took her to a specialist engine builder today. On first hearing the engine he reckoned a conrod bearing had gone. A little further investigation and he disconnected the sparkplug for cyclinder one. The noise disappeared immediately. So possibly the "cylinder pin" or cyclinder itself.

They're going to take the engine out and examine it. I should know the diagnosis next Tuesday. Whatever the fault is, I may as well get the chains, tensioners and clutch done while the engine's out. Currently on 93k miles.

 

I'll keep the updates coming.

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Eeek, not good :? I've not heard of a small end bearing going (aka wrist pin) on a VR6, but have heard of the big end going through oil starvation. Which possibly fits if you're engine is chewing oil and lots of hard cornering.

 

If they take the plug out and it's covered in oil, it's fairly conclusive really, new engine time :(

 

If it comes to that, try and source a s/hand AAA engine from a Golf Highline, even if that needs a rebuild too. For some reason they are more robust than the ABV :shrug:

[MikeVR6 0]

Thanks Kev. Think if the engine is Kaput it may be 24v time.

[hodaz 0]

Sorry to thread hijack but I get a little ticking noise from the tappets on my C when cold, what oil would people reccomend to minimise this? Last oil change I just used 10W40 Havoline Synthetic from my local petrol station as it was cheap. It never reallyt bothered me, just put it down to being an old car with 150k miles but if I can get rid of it by using posh oil I would like to.

[Rick 0]

My old car :D

 

I'd be surprised if it needed an engine rebuild, the car was in very good condition when I sold it to the guy you bought it from.

 

Judging by the mileage it looks as though it's been sat around for a while. I would have thought it needs the chains doing and some thicker oil for an engine of that age. There must be a VR specialist somewhere you can take it to.

 

When I had it I always thought it used to run quite hot but never had any problems with it.

 

Oh and get some photos up would love to see her again.

[MikeVR6 0]

I think the previous owner did a "quick" repair by throwing some bearings in so he could sell the car. Can't prove that at the moment. Will know for sure on Tuesday. Oil was remarkably clean for a car that hadn't been serviced in 10,000 miles

Car had been neglected Rick I think the guy didn't have the means or facilities to take care of it.

I dropped it round to a local engineering works here in Cologne who make specialist engines for Toyota, VW and BMW. They really made a fuss of it when I called in. The technician working on it has a G60 himself.

Worst comes to worst. They quoted me €4500 - €5000 to stick a brand new R32 engine in. Hopefully it won't come to that though!