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  View original topic: Diesel engine or just a knock?
jakeace Wed May 04, 2005 7:55 am

Ok this really more of a general engine question but it just happens to be in my notch. For the last month or so there has been an annoying little knock in my engine that I can’t seem to tune out. Now for the last week or so it’s gotten to the point that it sound like I have a diesel engine. It’s weird though if im at idle or somewhere between 1000-1500 rpms it sounds like its gunna fall apar tbut when im cruising you would swear it’s a perfect engine. But as soon as you go to shift and let off the gas the rattle is back. I tried keeping my RPMs up and letting the clutch in and out, no rattle. So I don’t think it’s the clutch or trans. Took the fan shroud off and tried to wiggle the fan it’s as solid as a rock. But I could swear the sound is coming right from the main bearing. The next step is to pull the engine so I guess my question is could all that noise be from a worn gland nut or is it more likely an internal bearing? Also once I pull the engine (this weekend) what do I look for as far as wear on the gland nut bearing?
Thanks, Sean

69sqbck Wed May 04, 2005 8:04 am

Sounds like an internal bearing, I would pull the heads and cylinders and take a look see.....

josh Wed May 04, 2005 10:46 am

Even though you tried to wiggle it on the car, I would double check to make sure the fan to hub connection is tight when the engine is out. Thinking back on the noise mine made when it was loose, it was like a poor running deisel. I only heard it at low RPMs as well.

Tram Wed May 04, 2005 11:09 am

The fan itself could be cracked. It could also be a piece of tin or a heater box making the noise. I'd check all that before tearing into the engine.

jakeace Wed May 04, 2005 11:35 am

Ya im wondering if its something to do with the fan. I had the engine out not to long ago to replace the main seal and I took all the shrouding off except the aluminum part because I didn’t have the 32mm or what ever size nut that it is to pull the pulley off. I know its not a tin thing because ive been all round it pushing and pulling on everything to see if the sound changes. I can see the crank pulley blades but not the inner fan so is that what you are thinking might be broken? If so would that noise go away with higher RPMs like mine dose?
Sean

Tram Wed May 04, 2005 11:53 am

Sean, Ive seen fans crack at the crank, and all sorts of strange stuff. I doubt it is your "little" fan, because that's also the pulley... but it could be. It could be that the big bolt is JUST loose enough to cause the fan to wobble on the square- cut part that fits on the crank, but not enough to wobble in/ out. It could be that the square cut hole is beginning to round out, causing a "nok- nok- nok" at lower RPMs. Of course, keep in mind that we're trying to diagnose over the Internet here, but everything you're telling me screams "FAN"!!!
Another somewhat unsettling thought is a loose flywheel, esp. since you just did a main seal. HOPEFULLY the noise is coming from the fan area, though. Most likely. Get to the bottom of this NOW because if it IS a loose- or improperly shimmed- flywheel, you need to fix it before it destroys the crank, if it hasn't already! :shock:

jakeace Wed May 04, 2005 12:28 pm

Ya well im definetley not driving it till I get this sorted out. I just have to find a socket to fit that nut now. Another thing that makes me think it’s the fan or that main bearing there is when im under the car towards the front of the engine it’s not as loud as when im under it at the rear of the car.
Sean

Bobnotch Thu May 05, 2005 4:25 am

jakeace wrote: Ya well im definetley not driving it till I get this sorted out. I just have to find a socket to fit that nut now.
Sean

It's a 30mm socket that you'll need to get that bolt out. I've heard of the fan coming loose from the hub , so that might be what's going on with yours. Good luck with it and I hope this helps. :D

jakeace Thu May 12, 2005 5:56 am

OK well its not the fan, its solid. What should it feel like when I spin it back and forth? It seems kinda weird if I spin it about 15deg back and forth fast enough it makes a nock sound. If I try to move it up and down or in and out its solid as anything though. I guess my next step is to drop the engine unless anyone has any other ideas?
Sean



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