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MG MGF Technical - rattley engine!

my 98 VVC has started to make a rattley noise every now and then but is gradually getting more frequent and louder! checked the oil and all seems fine so hopefully not the dreaded HGF!
Suppose ill have to get it booked in!
has anyone else experienced this?

Gary
gary robinson

Gary - is it just on startup (a common'ish VVC valve gear cold or low oil noise) or is when hot ?
JohnP

it makes the noise even when hot, but the rattling doesnt seem to get faster as you increase the revs, sounds like a loose bracket! but its not cos its coming from inside the engine I think!
gary robinson

Gary

My '98 VVC sounds quite 'tappety' a bit like a diesel (although not quite so loud). I asked for it to be checked out by the dealer and was told that it is a characteritic of the VVC. There are others on this BBS who have the same sound, and you will find various comments to this effect in the Archive. It is not something to worry about.

It may be worth just mentioning to the dealer as there is chance that the VVC mechanism can break. Mine did, and there were a number of others who suffered the same problem. The noise, however, didn't start until after the repairs had been carried out.

There was a recall some 2 or 3 ago to check that the front camshaft bolts had been properly tightened, I would mafe sure that this has been done on your car, either from the service records or the dealer should have a record.

Pete
Pete Fincher

took it to the garage and they said it looks like a problem with the tappets......expensive!

I was planning on part exchanging it at the end of the month for an elise, has anyone tried using any type of fluid for quietening down the engine, I heard you can get some stuff from halfords?
gary robinson

Gary...... I have a 1995 MPI which sounds like a diesel when started from cold. The noise disappears after about 1 miles driving. Ive read and been told about these miracle additives that will solve it. Ive tried Unipart Lifter free stuff. Wynns Hydraulic stuff, Forte top end treatment. All in all about £60 worth to no effect. Im resigned to living with the noise or paying extortionate rates to have the worn mechanical bits replaced.
D Jamieson

I too had the tappety noise and the Wymm stuff cleared it up. Thou the noise on mine was evident even after a long run not just on start up. It dosen't sound like thats the problem thou as a tappety noise will increase and decrease with the enigne speed.
R Baker

Nottingham

I have a 1.8 mpi and I've noticed a rattley noise coming from the engine on a cold start up - it sounds rather like a tractor. When engine is warm it's fine. Could this be the tappets? If so, are they expensive?
T Chan

VVC's, particularly 96-98 versions can have the bearings in the VVC unit itself wear out (been there, got the t-shirt!).

Rover replacements are just less than £400, however Mike S CAN repair some of them for a lot less, so its worth talking to him.

Where the noise is coming from can be easily confirmed with a stethascope (sp?) when you've got access to the engine.

Neil.
NNW49 - now nice and quiet!
Neil

took the car to a garage that I trust! they said the rattling is coming from the area where the exhaust cam is? expensive job apparentley! GUTTED!
gary robinson

Gary,

Interesting thread because:

I have a 96 VVC and mine too starting yesterday has started to make a bit of a "rattling type noise" when driving. I can only hear it inside the car as someone has checked for me when drving past that it sounds ok. I agree with some previous comments about it sounding rattling when started up but the noise in mine does'nt seem to be disappearing. I've never noticed this noise before as I've become aquanited to the noises it makes.

Is it definitely confirmed that it is the tappets or the cambelt bolts. I'm putting it into the garage this week and should hopefully know something then.

Can anyone please shed any more light on what it could be as I myself are a little worried. Only had the car 6 months and become very smitten with it.

Any comments much appreciated.

Cheers,

Tony
Tony Lynch

The VVC unit is on the INLET cam, so it isn't that.

Was it one side of the engine or in the middle - if so which?

You're not too far from Satur's emporium, your being in Humberside, are you? Might be worth a trip to get his opinion - he's rebuilt more heads than the rest of us put together!

Good luck!

Neil.
Neil

>> he's rebuilt more heads than the rest of us put together!<<

And then some, Neil!...

The rule of thumb on tappety noise from engine:

Brief rattle from cold (disappears in a couple of seconds) = normal
Prolonged rattle from cold, but disappears when engine has warmed through = low engine oil level (check immediately, and top up as necessary)
Rattle occuring despite normal oil level, and when warm = something suspicious - get the engine checked out by an expert.
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 02/02/2003 and 18/02/2003

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