After adjusting my valves on my 2.0L I get a metallic tinkling noise when revving the engine. It is not tappet noise, like when the valves are too loose. It goes away as soon as the engine starts to heat up. It does not seem to be coming from the upper engine compartment, more like from below on passenger side. I have never had this before. I was worried that I had forgotten to remove a feeler gauge from one of the valves, but I pulled the covers off today just to be sure- nothing was there. It sounds like something really light and metal causing the noise. Any ideas?

Ansbacher

pushrod tube retainer spring out of place rubbing on a pushrod.
Mike

cooling fan loose on the hub.

alternator bracket broken or loose.
Mike

I dont really consider a valve adjustment and adjustment, it more of a check. If you had to adjust your valves more than a 1/4 turn since the last time, maybe you have another issue. I've driven about 20k on my engine and never needed any adjustment so far.

Solid or hydraulic lifters? Your description of the noise going away makes me think you have hydraulic lifters.

It's easy to make a mistake when adjusting valves. If that was truly the only thing you did before the noise started happening, I would go through the process again if you're unable to determine the sound is coming from somewhere else.

Adjuster screw contacting the inside of the cover? Look inside of cover for a little bright spot...

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I am going back in tomorrow to look for tell tales as suggested and to double check the adjustment I did previously. Will post my findings. This is really getting me down.

Ansbacher

Also take a look in the fan. Sometimes extra stuff finds its way in there and bounces around...

--DD

I had a similar sound once; turned out a stubby screwdriver found its way into the fan

After three "3" valve adjustments (ugh) I finally found the source of my strange metallic noise on rev up and it had nothing to do with any of my valve work but to something stupid I did probably over a year ago -

The last time I removed my stock style muffler to do something at the rear of the car (can't remember what it was), I forgot to mount and secure the two nuts that fasten the angular muffler bracket to the back of the transmission. Over time and countless jacking ups of the car, the bracket worked its way off the two studs and was just rubbing the body of the car. I pushed the bracket back on the studs, replaced the nuts, and tightened- Presto, weird noise is gone. It all makes sense now that temperature of the exhaust components made the sound come and go as things heated and cooled.

Needless to say, I am very relieved that I did not bugger something up with the valve train or worse.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

Ansbacher

As I'm sure you're aware, but that bracket supports the weight of the muffler and adds support for the weight of the heat exchangers. You may have stressed (stripped) your exhaust studs since the exchangers and the muffler were all being supported by them.

Thanks for the warning rjames, but luckily the muffler was still hanging on by a thread (no pun intended). Nevertheless I will check the heat exchanger connections ASAP.

Ansbacher