Noise is much worse

[jkaput]

So we made it home. Went to drive it again and this happened. Currently in the side of the road

https://youtube.com/shorts/ecFotFjVjf8?si=AJG1l7867SpXUx4w

[bobhill8]

I know it's hot as hell right now, but you're going to need to crawl underneath there once you are home and in the shade. Let the thing cool off obviously and then get under there and start really looking and grabbing and shaking stuff. We are all just guessing from our computers. Sounds like rusty metal on rusty metal, but who knows. I am in central MA about 90 minutes from you. If you have time sometime and want to drive out here, my son and I could take a look, but we are not pro mechanics. Just a couple of guys who could try to help you out a bit. PM if interested. Bob
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1986 Westy
1971 Squareback

[jlrftype7]

Your video is so short and jerky that I can’t begin to get a full picture.
If you have an Automatic, the noise might be the Flex Plate breaking .
Threads here on that issue.
EDIT- I reread one of your posts, you do have an Automatic Transmission, correct?
Could really be a tearing /torn Flex Plate .

Exhaust metal sound, or hanger bracket broke on you. Would be visible from underneath as suggested already.

Check the engine dipstick for condition of the oil while you’re at it.

Worst case, it’s internal in the engine .
Keep us posted. If no one is around to help, is there a Vanagon competent shop anywhere near you?
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'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

[jkaput]

Thanks a lot for the offer. This one sounds pretty awful and is coming from inside the engine it seems. No loss of power. No changes other than this god awful clunk.

I’m getting it towed to a shop in town.

This one sealed the deal. Once fixed it’s gone. One too many times for both me and the wife. Too much money and time and stress. I paid a good chunk of change for it to try and avoid this and it’s been one hassle after another. I’m reasonably mechanical and can do most maintenance myself but these problems are beyond me. Three master cylinders in three years? Leaks drips wire gremlins grounding issues leaking fuel leaking coolant leaking oil. Jesus. I love the thing but it’s too much of a headache for me and my family.

[jkaput]

Oil is low. Bottom of the dip stick. It was in the normal range when I left NH. Maybe a tad low. But it leaks slowly. Up til now?

Looks totally normal tho. No foam coolant etc.

[vanagonjr]

[vanis13]

[Wildthings]

Remove the alternator belts and see if the noise disappears.

[syncrodoka]

That doesn't sound motor related but some kind of accessory having issues or a rock got kicked up behind the crank pulley but it is very hard to tell from that video.
I agree, it is time for you to get out of this vehicle and into something you have more confidence in.

[khughes]

I'd also get about a 3' length of 1/2 - 3/4" heater hose, or similar, and use that as a 'stethoscope' to pinpoint the location of the noise. I've never heard a sound like that from an internal engine problem, especially if it's running OK. Kind of rules out a valve train issue. Everything else tends to go "bang" and/or "Klunk" not rattle. Sounds like a bracket/sheet metal issue or accessory bearing loose enough to wobble and rattle.
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'86 Westy FAS GenV Turbo (Marvin)

[Xevin]

Thanks for following up. What a bummer. Never feels good getting defeated on a road trip. You’ve really had some rough roadtrips in the past. Obviously you can’t troubleshoot it while it’s in the shop. If you don’t mind can you follow up with what that sound is for future readers? Be well.
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Keep on Busin'

[crazyvwvanman]

Agreed, sounds like something that is turning faster than the engine.
Alternator is the first thing that comes to mind.

Get the belt off, even cut it off for a quick test.
Is something catching on the alternator pulley fan blades?

Mark

[Ahwahnee]

Yeah, definitely see what happens with the alternator belt removed -- it maybe my imagination but I feel like the vibration of the alternator is synched with the sound.

You might also remove the distributor cap and examine the inside of it.

Definitely sounds external to the engine to me

[Xevin]

[jjdeluxe]

when my water pump bearings started to go, it made sounds like this but more muted. taking the belts off and turning the water pump manually ought to be self evident. run the engine without the belts will confirm but obviously don't run for more than a few seconds since you need that water pump doing its thing. - I am not a mechanic -
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1990 Syncro

[zerotofifty]

Need a longer more steady video clip for sure. But that there alternator seems to be moving relative to the engine. Is alterntor failing?
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Sorry About That Chief.

Give Peace a Chance.

Words to live by.

[tdivan82]

Sounds like someone left an empty beer can in the engine bay. The noise is very thin and tinny. Doesn't sound at all like it's from the rotating mass inside the engine. Agree with the others that it's something external.
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82 Westy TDI (ahu)

[SCM]

[WiboBusMan]

Prime suspects: 1. water pump; 2. flexplate - but could be something else.

For the water pump, agreed that the "belt off, running for a few seconds" approach can possibly zero you in on the problem - if the sound suddenly disappears it's likely the water pump or the alternator. Or, if there is no change to the sound, this would pretty much eliminate the water pump as a suspect. You can also check for play - axial or wobble - it should have basically none.

FWIW, I had a water pump making at least as much noise as that, and I would say quite similar sounding to yours.

For the flexplate with ignition off, if you rotate the crankshaft back and forth, say 10° or so you may hear a bit of a cracking or ticking sound - with sound present, it is highly suggestive of a cracked flexplate, but not conclusive; if no sound, however, it does not firmly eliminate it as a possible source of the sound while the engine is running..

Sorry your Vanagon experience is not all it could be.

W
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Science has sacrificed Truth on the altar of its narrative.

[WiboBusMan]

As an afterthought, with engine stopped, you might grab hold of the alternator and firmly try to move it around to see if you can replicate some of the sound - the bracket at the bottom of the alternator is known to crack with wear or with over-tightening the belt.

From the video, I think the alternator is just moving with the engine jitters, and I don't see an excessive amount of engine movement at idle, which is never perfectly smooth. The whole engine is designed to have some freedom of movement.

W
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Science has sacrificed Truth on the altar of its narrative.