Help..Gravelly noise and tappety noise from my 1998 highline

[theboffin 0]

Hi all

need some advice, my 1998 VR6 Highline has afew strange noises and i want to try and sort them out, bearing in mind that the engine has done 154,000!, i do expect some noise.

first is it's very 'tapety' until engine is fully warm (about 5 minutes and halfway on the gauge), when it goes off which i guess is just heavy wear on the tapets unitl the oil and steel has warmed up??

secondly there is a 'gravelly noise which is always constant hot or cold, i dont think its the surpentine belt tensioner, no whine, so i'm guessing chains / tensioners - 'gulp'!..it runs perfectly otherwise good pull and smooth.

any ideas anyone?

[VR6Pete 1,455]

Sounds like you need some new hyrdolic lifters - there's a guide in the premium members section for testing them.... I'd only recommend buying INA followers as these are OEM....

and if you listen to our timing chain sound clip, may help you... if you've done over 150k on the old girl, then you've done well and probably over-due...

[VR6Nat 9]

lift the bonnet and listen to the right side of the engine (near the coilpack) if the noise is coming from there then its your chains!! :S

[muttley 0]

mine makes the same tappety noise from the alternator end of the engine but only if the car has been stood for a good while ie a month or so, if i use it every day i dont get any noise

[Rikki 2]

Muttley yours could be the tensioner dying? think you can regrease/reoil it....i dont know as ive never had one!!!

[muttley 0]

which bit is the tensioner, is that the thing i have to put a bolt in to relese it when changing the belt.

i know what things do i just dont know what they are called lol

[Rikki 2]

Yup thats it....they usually get noisy before they die iirc lol

[theboffin 0]

Thanks for all the advice guys

..had a listen definately RHS and definately chains..as well as hydraulic lifters methinks!

how easy a DIY job are the chains and tensioners to do?..does the engine have to be out?

[Gazbarber1982 3]

I had mine done in April. Engine stayed in but it's gearbox off job. £15 for premium membership will save you over £100 for parts at TPS. I replaced everything that needed replacing with genuine parts from VW. Everything was delivered next day and the membership to this site saved me a fortune plus if your doing it yourself there's how to guides in the premium members section. Best 15 quid you'll spend this year!!!

[theboffin 0]

Thanks

when i get payed I'll join up....how much did all the parts cost you?, got a list of part numbers too?

cheers

[theboffin 0]

Been reading a bit more about the chains and tensioners from other forums ,

some other posts suggest just changing the upper guide rail (dont need to remove gearbox) and re-oiling the sping loaded tensioner bolt?

I'm really wondering wether it's worth spending such a big chunk of money on a high milage (154,000) engine. and the fact that i have quite bad rust in the front end of the cills at jacking point/floor that will need welding, does it become just another breaker when the mot runs out next april?

any advice ideas greatly appreciated.

[craggsy 91]

Changing tensioner first is a cheap option as it could be just that