Hi
Ive had my MRS for about three months now and its always had a really dodgy rattle coming from the top 3rd of the engine. Between about 2000 to 3000 revs when not under load (Just light throtle pressure). For ages I thought it was a heat shield. So the other day I used my mates pit to try out the theory. Turns out it wasnt the sheilds.
So... I took the car in for a free inspection at my local Mr T. The engineer claims that I have piston wear from lack of oil at some stage. There was loads of good oil in the car when I picked it up. So I didnt really believe this !
So... Last night I checked the timing chain tensioner and a couple of other things I had a hunch were causing the problem. To rule them out. (Only thing I didnt try that I dont have that much faith in is the VVTi unit, but they are £££.) I also checked the pre cat through the holes. The right one looked good but the left one had a very small scar in it.
Now im woried. I didnt have any of the other symptoms of pre cat failure ie loss of power etc. so I didnt think this was my problem. I just have this really annoying rattle at certain revs.
The question is..... Do you guys think that the problems are linked and the precat material has buggered the engine. Or is one problem nothing to do with the other and I just really need to gut my pre cat ASAP.
Also what damage am I doing by driving my car round at the moment ?
Quote from: "oos_ya_daddy"I didnt have any of the other symptoms of pre cat failure ie loss of power etc.
The loss of power isn't really a symptom, it's the outcome once things start to happen and then it's already too late s:? :? s:?
It's very hard to guess about the noises though, cause 1ZZ seems to be full of them. I'd gut the precats just to be sure, cause surely they won't be making things better as long as they are there.
So What symtoms should I be experiencing if my precat has caused some damage ?
What areas should I check. Without doing a full engine strip down.
Whats the likelyhood that the VVTi unit is causing the rattle ?
How much just out of interest is a new engine gonna cost ? (Not including fitting)
Quote from: "oos_ya_daddy"So What symtoms should I be experiencing if my precat has caused some damage?
Oil consumption...so keep your eye on it. And if I were you, I'd also check the underside of the precats, they might be gone even if the upper area is ok. You need to remove the main cat to see them though...and while you're at it, check that there's nothing loose in the main cat.
QuoteWhats the likelyhood that the VVTi unit is causing the rattle?
I'd guess that it's very small...it's not a common issue at all, though everything's possible s:? :? s:?
QuoteHow much just out of interest is a new engine gonna cost ? (Not including fitting)
Adam mentioned some prices on the "Oil consumption (PRECATS PICS ADDED)" -thread...
Ok cool so.....
He can sort some really good prices on engines, manifolds and cats.
Engine ~ £600
Manifold ~ £200
Cat ~ £100
Exhaust ~ £20
But how can I be sure mine is buggered. I just have a bit of a rattle and a bit of precat missing. Obviously im gonna get the precat out instantly. But I cant just buy a new engine bassed on a rattle. How can I get some hard evidence.
if it's buggered, it's buggered.
gut your cats, and see what happens from then on.
if it's not down on power and your cats are removed then long term you may get away with it just being a bit noisy.
as and when it gets terminal, then get a new engine.
I had exactly the same with mine. A rattle appeared 2 weeks ago every time i changed gear and again wasnt present untill i changed gear and only when i applied slight presure on the throttle.
Took it to the local garage and found out that the cams had gone the piston heads were fucked and another couple of things were wrong too. Also because of lack of oil at some stage but mine was never under half and i ran mine for 4 months before it got like this.
Whwen the noise started i drove it for another week and there was no change in the noise level or performance.
Got a new engine though with 14k on it though.
Sounds just like my issue.
I am pretty sure the problem has not been caused by my precats now cause I gutted them at the weekend and they were in good condition, just one small scar on the very top.
Just wondering how cfcdicko7 managed to determin that his cams had gone and piston heads were f***ed. Do you have to do a full on engine strip down for this ?
Full Strip down is required - my was spread out on a bench.... engine looked great, apart from that there was wear on the cylinder block, thus the oil leakage, leading to the distruction of the precats.......
Thus they have a "Kit" of parts required.
The Stripping seems to always be a requirement.
Cheers
Darren
Pre Cats are now well gutted. Pre cats were in good condition, main cat was clear. No sign of oil in the pre cats.
Still have a full on rattle though.
Its getting worse too. !!!
To remove the auxilliary drive belt tensioner from the list of suspects fit a 19mm socket or long spanner to the end of the dummy nut on the drive belt tensioner bracket(it looks like a nut but it isn't as it is cast intregral with the tensioner assembly bracket) With the engine running, gently push the spanner to put a little bit more pressure on the belt. If the noise goes away it is the tensioner, if not then look elsewhere for the noise.
You may have to temporarily remove the black plastic bottle which contains the activated carbon petrol fumes trap from the inside of the RH wing, but it easily unclips from it's brackets and the pipes are only push on fittings. The engine will run rough unless you temporarily block the manifold side of the rubber pipe (I used a 6mm bolt.)
I tried it on mine and satisfied myself that my low revs rattle is from the tensioner but it has remained at the same level for 8000 mls so I am leaving it until winter to sort out.
Ive already tried this.
Seems to be coming from the other side really.
Where the VVTi unit is.
Anyone think it may be this ?
Any way of checking rather than buying a new one for £150 ??