Loud Rattle from Engine! Help Needed

[QuickR33Melb]

Hello

Over the last day or two I have noticed a very load rattle that sounds like it's coming from the front end of my engine.

The noise only occurs when I apply throttle or when I start the engine cold and its idling around 1000rpm. its a very load 'tick, tick, tick' sound. As I apply more throttle the noise gets louder.

There is however no performance problems and the car still runs great and idles steady. It just sounds like shit when I put the foot on the accelerator.

I'm taking it to be looked at tomorrow but if I have an idea about whats wrong it might save the mechanic sratching his head for an hour.

Anyway some advice would be fantastic

[RS500]

where r u taking the car to get it checked out?

i would recommend going to see Dennis at P.E.T Modifications (9464-4225), he is very competent when it comes to the RBxx engines.

[predator]

seriously.. don't drive it at all except to a garage! sounds 90% chance the timing belt..or idler tensioners. If the timing belt snaps your engine will be in serious trouble.

Is the car up to or around 100,000km ?

[QuickR33Melb]

The car is at 70,000km.

If it is the timing belt why is the car running well??

[JNR24]

If its the timing belt, you wont notice any performance diffrence until the belt snaps. Then its too late.

Kiss your 24 valves & 6 pistons goodbye!

[marchGTR]

The car is at 70,000km.

If it is the timing belt why is the car running well??

Me and my brother both had R33 GTST in the past and both needed the timming belts changed at around 70,000Km's. both had the ticking noises, and no decrease in performance...get it changed if thats the prob, you dont want it to snap!!!!

[(B1) MR_fanny]

i second wat pred said.

wat yr is the car.....70k isnt necesarily geniune k's. my mates 96 rex had something similar to yours. he had this awful rattling sound commin on start up and idle and got worse when accelerating just like ur case. i had a look under the bonnet and *** me his timing belt pully was loose as a whore and was about to fall off. took a chance and drove it a couple blocks to a freind mech who said after he replaced it that he was one lucky bastard!! start your car up and check to see if any of the pulleys are wobbling. get a mech to come to ur house if possible.

[red17]

Just a quick question, but are any of the RB motors non interference? Or do they all break stuff when a belt goes?

[snake]

My 33 has a rattle when cold at about 1700rpm, the noise dies away as the engine revs past this point. The noise also goes away when the engine is warm. Similar problem or just rattly valve train when cold?

[RBSleepR]

My 33 has a rattle when cold at about 1700rpm, the noise dies away as the engine revs past this point. The noise also goes away when the engine is warm. Similar problem or just rattly valve train when cold?

Snake - do you have forgies?

if so - then it is just the rattle of them until they warm up and expand to the cylinder bore!

[RBSleepR]

Hello

Over the last day or two I have noticed a very load rattle that sounds like it's coming from the front end of my engine.

The noise only occurs when I apply throttle or when I start the engine cold and its idling around 1000rpm.  its a very load 'tick, tick, tick' sound.  As I apply more throttle the noise gets louder.

Have you run the engine really hard lately - or overboosted it?

Are you blowing smoke?

Have you lost compression in a cylinder?

Hope its not serious

[snake]

Nah dont have forgies.... Running mobil one synthetic 5w-50... maybe a little on the thin side?

[RBSleepR]

Nah dont have forgies.... Running mobil one synthetic 5w-50... maybe a little on the thin side?

Could be just some piston slap - if it gets better when warm - probably don't need to worry

I use a 10w-30 for mine - copes very well on the track

You can get a Mobil one 10w-40 I think - bit more exy than the 5w-50 but meant to be better fot turbo cars ...

which oil to use ... now that's a good thread to start up

[predator]

meh.. get it checked out.. don't believe for a 2nd that the km on your car may not have wound back and actually be over 100,000km. Its not worth the risk.

[QuickR33Melb]

I just had the mechanic check the car before work this morning and one of the bolts that goes into the head is missing (it must have come lose and gone). The noise is the exhaust gas escaping from the head and rattling passed the gasket.

He reckons it will take him 5 hours, replace all the bolts and gasket and cost me $600.

My normal mechanic has moved away and this seems a little steep. Tell me what you think

[JNR24]

Just a quick question, but are any of the RB motors non interference? Or do they all break stuff when a belt goes?

They break & bend everything when the belt goes...

QuickR33Melb:

All RB motors are renound for exhaust studs/bolts to break off, and for the manifold to come loose on the head.

However for a mechanic to take 6 hours!! to replace a exhaust gasket! thats a worry. 3 hour job MAX!

$50 gasket, and a couple a hundred for labour would be all i would pay.

[QuickR33Melb]

I just went and got another quote for around $200-$250. Better price