Post 2.1L WBX rebuild issue - torque converter noise?

[dabaron]

after chasing down some wiring gremlins and bad injectors, the engine is running on all four cylinders. now i can hear what sounds like noise coming from the torque converter.

the bolts for the torque converter and the flexplate are all new, purchased from Go Westy using the provided thread locker. flexplate bolts torqued to 81 ft lbs (per GW instructions and Bentley). flexplate to torque converter bolts torqued to 25 ft lbs (per GW instructions and Bentley). verified the flexplate to torque converter bolts are all firm and at 25 ft lbs.

both videos are with no belts attached:


Link



Link

_________________
1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo

BiWerks Design, LLC

[Igeo]

Hmm. Sounds more like big end rod noise to me. Try pulling plug wires off the cap, disablling cylinders one by one, then giving slight revs like you were doing. This can isolate which cylinder might be causing this by removing the load. The knock sound should diminish with no load on it.
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1987 Westfalia 2.1 WBX Manual

[jberger]

It's really difficult to tell where that noise is coming from in a video. What is the history of the rebuild? Everything replaced? mains and rod bearings? End play set? New flex plate or TC (or just a different combo?) There was a post recently of making sure the pilot bore in the flex plate was large enough for the TC. Certainly doesn't sound like lifters.

J

[dabaron]

[jberger]

[Igeo]

Take the 5 minutes to do the one by one cylinder disabling procedure and you'll likely have your answer.
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1987 Westfalia 2.1 WBX Manual

[dabaron]

[dabaron]

[CurtisS]

That's the noise my 2.3wbx made right before the #3 rod exposed itself through the top of the case. Hope this is not the situation here.
_________________
If "con" is the opposite of "pro", what is the opposite of "progress"?

[dabaron]

[Zeitgeist 13]

Have you measured the hot idle, half and full throttle oil pressures?
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[dabaron]

[Zeitgeist 13]

Probably a moot point, since you're not going to feel comfortable driving this thing now that you know the rods are questionable. Not to pile on, but jberger is 100% correct. Live, learn and carry on.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[DanHoug]

i'm not convinced (yet) it is rods... take a length of heater hose, stick one end in your ear and listen all over the engine but especially in the trans opening.

COULD be a cracked flex plate.

but then you must do a cyl shutdown test on all 4 to see if the noise abates PLUS check the hot oil pressure.

an oil pressure gauge is easily made from the longest grease gun extension hose you can buy, a water pressure gauge with 1/8" NPT male threads, and a 1/8" NPT female-female coupler. $20 total and available all at a hardware store. screw it into the oil switch port between cyls 3-4.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[Ahwahnee]

[dabaron]

[dabaron]

Pulled plug wire from dizzy for each cylinder... no change in sound
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo

BiWerks Design, LLC

[Zeitgeist 13]

You really should check hot oil pressures.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[jberger]

Does this noise begin on startup or does it get worse as the engine warms up?

J

[dabaron]