Hello,

Please listen to the attached video and tell me what you think. It sounds like top end valve train noise, push rod? See links below, I appreciate your time.


914
1974
1.8 stock

https://youtu.be/FjfgbFgZY64


Thanks.

Click to view attachment

It's fixed, please try again.

I'm hearing a lot of noises, but one sounds free, less rhythmic. Like Maybe something bouncing around in the fan, or a piece of something bouncing around in a cylinder.

Something in the fan shroud... blowing around.. I agree. If it was in a cylinder you would know it!

The engine sounds too smooth and steady for it to be valve train for crank related. Plus I too get a tumble dryer impression. I wonder what the fan sucked up?

mmmm

except @Fanmac is homing in over the back of the engine over #3?
where he can hear the noise or it seems like the noise is?
you have a 1.8 Fanmac?

there is the old screwdriver trick.
holding it to the engine and putting your ear to it.
you need one of those big old mothar screwdrivers.
only problem is engine tin kind of gets in the way of listening properly.

i dunno - its hard to tell off the video given phone camera sound.
but that could be hole in the exhaust headers underneath.
a little pinhole? the sound of unburned fuel in exhaust detonating with extra little bit of oxygen?

good luck.
as others have said, its sounds like its running real sweet and even.
so that is a good sign.

ah no i see its #4.
still it seems like maybe its back from the fan that you are hearing it.
over in the area above #4.

still as above suggestion, you are not hearing a noise come up that open heating air riser from the heat exchangers? i notice its got no cap seal on it or blower fan hook up.
could channel noise?


EDIT

another thought for noise in that area.
cooling flap has failed in some way?
that one in the ducting in oil cooler area has a clip like connection.
broken and the flap is rattling in the airstream?

watch this video.

i think no matter what it will fail in fail safe position for air flow. but it could bounce and rattle around if it looses its fastening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2_dzR1qJ6A

That’s a good theory about the cooling flap Wonkipop!

The proverbial lost 10mm socket kicking around in the fan shroud housing?

Mouse carcass flopping around in air ducts?

I might put my $5. on this one. Good luck

Wow!! Thanks for all the replies. I'm hitting it again today and will definitely circle back and let you know the outcome.

@wonkinpop. You should be a doctor with those diagnostic skills. Definitely sounds related to a loose body of some sort.

Ok, removed the tinware and got into the shroud. Found nothing. Also, the noise seems loudest on passenger valve cover and the tinware up top that covers aforementioned cooling flap. we manipulated the cooling flap while it was running and the noise does not change.

Still stumped.

Maybe remove the valve cover and check for a broken retaining wire or something else bouncing around in there? Longshot, but I can't think of anything else in that area that would be moving around.

you are thinking a pushrod tube clip?



@Fanmac how did the noise start?

have you gotten under the car - can you get it up on ramps/hoist safely to take a look/listen from below while its running.

+me on the push rod to rocker spacing. too loose. I had a similar issue on mine but way louder than yours.

Definitely remove the valve covers and check.

I am assuming these are mechanical lifters and not hydraulic.

Check spacing, could be as simple as that.

Well, we checked everything listed above and still no solution. At this point, we're going to take to see a VW specialist. Thanks everyone.

Sounds like an exhaust noise to me...look for leaks at HE, and at the Heads to Cylinders (head gaskets) Stethoscope, smoke machine, or Hose to ear work well...

Run the engine with the alternator belt off...see if it changes or stops.
I once had a big flap on a belt making a similar noise.

when you find out report back.
interested 1.8 owner is all ears.

fingers crossed nothing serious.