Engine Noise

[Nath86]

This is an engine noise problem, not the good kind either.

Full story: bought my celica in feb 2009, head gasket gone july 2009, head gasket replace in july, new cam/oil pressure thingy installed. Everything is hunky dory.

Its done 88000 odd miles, serivce every year by dealer (like that means anything).

Now there is a low down in the revs building to 4000 noise, like a metal on metal grating noise, and its steadily, in my mind, getting a little louder and gritty-er. It seems down on power aswell, doesn't really pull low down anymore, where-as just after the head was done it was very chirpy.

Any ideas? Anyone?

celica gen7 2002 vvti 140.

Cheers, nate

[Scarlett Arrow]

Before someone gives you the bad news, can you confirm it's a pre face lift and also how much Oil the Engine has been using?

[Nath86]

cheers for the reply scarlett arrow, by facelift i assume you mean the new air vent thingy between the bonnet and the bumper, if you do then mine is pre-facelift.

And on the oil front just checked it and its full, its just below the top pip on the dipper.

nothing much scares my anymore, i used to have a mini, haha.

cheers, nate

[KPARRIS-JONES]

Is it a VVTLi Celica, this could be bad....

Look here: VVTL-i explanation

[Scarlett Arrow]

No, it's not a VVTL-i 190, but the VVT-i 140.

Nath, has the Engine ever been allowed to run low on Oil and what viscosity Oil are you using? The pre face lift Engines are notorious for using Oil due to a design fault in the Block that was rectified when the face lift was introduced. It could be that you need a Crankshaft regrind with new Bearings/Shells. Impossible to tell for sure without hearing the noise.

If that's the case, I can recommend a company in Kilburn to carry out the work.

[Nath86]

i assume after it being looked after by the dealer its running the right stuff, i couldn't tell you unless i did the service myself. And for the better of my knowledge its never been left to run low.

I shall refine my first question a little.

The noise, sounds to me to be valve noise, the exhaust note is constant so it suggests to me it could be an intake issue. Its not very loud it is just exajerated when its under load, and the only reason ive noticed it is the simple fact is that it wasn't there when the gasket had been fitted and it was made better.

Saying that i didn't notice the head gasket gone when i bought it because it had gone between the valves so they were sort of feeding one another, haha.

the trouble i have is valve noise in an old car is just valve noise, new variable valves? if i check each plug for discolouration is there a way i can pin it down to a cylinder or a set of ports?

Im not scared if i need to start unbolting things, but to be honest im not sure what im looking out for, wood through the trees and all that.

I appricate the help, id be much more suited to a nice a-series with s 1 1/4" SU.

[Scarlett Arrow]

Hopefully the problem will be top end which of course is cheaper to rectify. Might be worth a chat with Se7en Motorsport, very friendly and knowledgeable guy, he has his own sub section over on Celica Club.

PS

Hope you can make the Rising Sun Show at Lincoln in May, Celica's virtually take over the Show with a massive turnout.