valver issues

[patersom10]

Hi guys,

I had the cambelt water pump and fuel lines done on my valver the other day, now under acceleration hard or soft I get an excessive ticking sound that it did not have before, it also feel sluggish/rough.

Would really appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks. Matt

[mat_fenwick]

Moved to Technical to hopefully get more replies.

My first suspicion would be cam timing - there are two tensioners on the 16v engine which if they are not set equally can change the camshaft timing - i.e. it's possible to get the correct tension but wrong cam position, even if not a full tooth out. I doubt whether it's possible to get valve/piston contact though unless it is indeed a tooth or more out.

I leave one tensioner in place and just use the other to set belt tension - it's more difficult to get the belt on, but less change of messing it up! I'd be inclined to take it back to whoever did the work rather than relying on an opinion over the internet though.

[patersom10]

Have spoken with Chevronics, its going back in tomorrow.

Thanks.

[RobC]

At the 'book' tension, the cambelt on valvers can have a tendency to make the cambelt cover rattle a bit (causing the ticking sound at about 2000rpm), particularly when the engine's cold. This can sound a bit disconcerting, but is nothing to worry about. But of course it may well be slightly mistimed, it's a tricky process...

Did the previous owner give you the fuel pipe I provided to him with the car...? Hope you didn't have to buy another one.

[Kitch]

Sounds like the belt's a bit loose. Will make a tiny impact on performance, probably more mind-over-matter.

Shouldn't rub the cover though, ever. As Rob says the book tension isn't ideal....best just to do it by feel.

[patersom10]

Yeah he did give me the fuel pipe, gone back to chevronics today, decided to get them to give it a full service, Hydraulic belt .no point me getting the body work done if she's running rough. they are replacing the electric window mechanism as failed.

[patersom10]

So I got the valver back today and now its making a whoosh/whining sound instead of tapping, I presume its the timing belt housing, will this cause the cambelt to go if not put right? help please

[citsncycles]

I'd certainly check the housing isn't rubbing on anything before going any further in it

[RobC]

That's a fairly normal sound on a valver belt, if it's the one i think you mean: when I've had a belt too loose and I've thought it's 'rattling' and made some poor mechanic tighten it to ease my fears, afterwards it 'whooshes' instead because there's less slack in it. Very sensitive in sound to the slightest change in tension, these belts!

I'd say it's fine and you're being paranoid!

(NB i accept no liability etc etc).

[frog]

Oh man, I wish I had read this thread when I did mine, all these noises were keeping me up at night.

[Caffiend]

Also with no liability accepted etc, but if you took it back to Chevronics then Rob will have checked it personally I reckon, even if he only supervised the fitting on your first visit.

[patersom10]

I think you guys are on the button, drove to work this morning 70 miles to epsom without any bangs. little wooshing but like you said they are a bit noisy anyway. I think my just over worrying!( As usual) may have to take it up to the downs on lunch for some pics.