1990 2.1 WBX grumble only when warm

[Slowbrick]

Good morning everyone.
I have been working on a 1990 Caravelle GL that has sat for most likely the better part of 10 years. I purchased it with my Dad who originally wanted a T2 but after driving my wifes T3 was sold on the idea of the T3 instead.

So what we ended up with was a *cheap* 1990 Caravelle that has an indicated 280000km on the clock but after driving it today for the first time have learnt that it could be much more than that.

So the brief background on it mechanically is:

- Looks like its sat about 5 - 10 years
- Found out the auto was dead and only worked in reverse and when I dropped the pan found a piece of thrust washer in it. Replaced the auto with a good second hand one.
- Replaced entire cooling system back to front.
- Replaced oil twice with two flushes. It now has Penrite HPR 30 which I run in my other 1989 T3 2.1 but has half a bottle of Seafoam at the moment.
-Various other maintenance items.

Today was the first day ive actually driven it as im going for registration and wanted to make sure i worked. It drove very well and shifted through the gears nicely and feels like it has good power.

So the problem.

When it gets up to temperature I can hear an almost diesel like grumbling coming from what sounds like the centre of the engine block. Its noticable outside of the van when standing behind it and it sounds like a diesel idling and goes away when I rev the motor. Also selecting either reverse or drive with the brake applied reduces the noise but it doesnt go away. When its cold there is no noise at all. It revs cleanly and in general looks to be running quite well aside from this noise.

Ive searched on thesamba and came across references to it could be from the camshaft thrust washer falling out of its location and the noise being the cam gear. Is there anything I can do to stop/reduce the noise and is it something I should do something about? Im planning to drive the van around for the next month or so before handing it over to my Dad and wanted to get opinions on if I should be worried about this or its fine to keep on trucking as is.

Thank you,
Slowbrick.

[DanHoug]

see if you can post a video demonstrating the noise. it'll help us form an opinion.

there is no washer that can fall out of place on the camshaft... there is a thrust bearing with the thrust face of the bearing integral with the camshaft bearing. this sets the camshaft clearance in the case and is captive, it cannot fall out. it can wear so there is greater fore and aft movement of the camshaft but that likely isn't the noise.
_________________
-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

[Slowbrick]

Thank you Dan, I will take a video and upload it to my Onedrive after work.

EDIT: One thing I forgot to leave out. When I had the auto off the motor I replaced the rear main seal + oring. I checked the end play *attempted to, its my first time if im honest* and the value I ended up being able to repeat was 0.17mm. The Bentley calls for 0.15mm as the max allowable. I had a look on here and the general consensus I found was to not touch the end play of an old engine and to leave it alone. Do you think this could be related? It runs really well so far, granted ive only driven it for 20 minutes and will drive it more if it passes inspection.

[Slowbrick]

Please accept my apologies for not getting back to you. I have been away from home. Today I went out to the van and took the videos and uploaded them to my Onedrive account.

This video here is when I first started it. I hope its not too noisy but when its running it is relatively quiet and there isnt much going on.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!ArO5QsEK8-WZjK0JvZcRs88D9aJvpQ?e=ccraRe

In this second video is when it has been running for about 10 minutes and everything is up to temperature. The noise sounds like its coming from inside the motor and will go away when I select reverse or drive or even revving it will quieten it down.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!ArO5QsEK8-WZjK0KFNxIC_1y7-w3NA?e=UgzboW

I also changed the oil as it was quite dark as ive been running a bit of seafoam in it to clean everything out. The motor has sat for quite a bit and im not sure of its service history. Ive now replaced the oil with Penrite HPR30 which is what I run in my other 2.1 with good success.

I started it again after the oil change and the noise is still there but is reduced slightly. The one strange thing I noticed was it took some time to get the oil pressure light to stop flashing. I stopped it after it was flashing for about 5 seconds of running, checked the oil and started it again. Another 5 seconds or so when by and it stopped flashing. I dont remember my other 2.1 ever taking this long. I also didnt fill the oil filter up all the way this time and am wondering if that is why it took longer.

Anyway, hoping these videos can help a bit. Looking forward to hearing your ideas.

Thanks,
Ryan