Hi folks,

2.8CRD auto 2005 121,000 miles.

This one just jumped out at me, and doesn't sound good at all for my GV. It's a rattle/rumble that happens at idle, give it a little revs and it goes away, under normal driving you only notice it when the revs drop back to almost the idle position. Runs fine, smooth, no issues with gear shifts, etc.
My first suspicion was the auto-box, or flexplate as it sounded like it came from the box casing, however a friendly local autobox specialist kindly had a listen/look for me and used a microphone listener and he doesn't think it's the autobox (The sound doesn't go away when in drive, when the flexplate, etc, would be put under hydraulic pressure which normally is when a flexplate/gearbox fault would change in sound). He listened all over the engine and couldn't pinpoint, he said it sounds almost like it's from the block itself and echoing, so he's suggesting I drop the belt first and see if that makes the sound go away or change at all.
(So firstly, whats the procedure for taking the belt off on the 2.8CRD RHD, as it doesn't look particularly easy to access the tensioner. Best from underneath or the top and just use the right socket and long bar?)

Failing that he's suspecting an injector possibly that's destroyed (partially or not) itself and rattling badly.

Has anyone heard something similar and have any pointers on this one please? This one is making me worried!

He's the recording of it, this is sat outside work so after a 30 minute drive, sound doesn't change on temperatures.


Help!

 

Good idea to remove the auxiliary belt and check for the noise as there are a few items capable of doing so. Alternator makes a sort of whining noise when bearing run dry. Alternator pulley wheel makes odd noises when interior bearing/spring gives up. Tensioner of course has bearing as well and may rattle and whine.
Your problem that only happens at idle sounds like Pulley methinks.

 

Well, I've just taken the power steering pump belt off and the serpentine belt and the noise is still there, so looks like it's in the block, flexplate or the autobox.

I'm at a loss now so think I'll have to get it down to a garage and let them get started on it to work their way through, I'm really starting to wonder if something has dropped into the engine.

 

Read of one example where odd noises were coming from the DMF (are these right letters) exhaust regenerator due to it breaking up inside.

 

Hi goggs,
Yeah I wondered about the CAT or similar, but fairly quickly eliminated that from my thoughts.

I spent all today taking bits of it apart, ended up with power steering pump and belt off, serpentine belt off.

I then decided to drain the oil and take the sump off and try to look at where the flexplate lives (between the engine and torque converter).
Firstly, I found that the metal housing for the flexplate has been snapped/corroded and gone!



You can see it on that photo, so whilst that isn't good, I then couldn't see any damage to the flexplate, bolts or find any bits of the damaged housing floating around. Not to say that there aren't bits in there but it didn't appear obvious.

I then turned my attention to the sump, and fishing around found these bits of metal:



Now those don't look good, potentially could be anything.

I'm therefore thinking I need to get it to a mechanic, get the head off and everything engine-wise inspected as those bits haven't just appeared from nowhere! I think that's the priority, get the parts repaired.

Then if there is still the noise/issue it'll be onto the flexplate and getting an autobox specialist to take a look.

What are the general thoughts, right way of approaching it? Bits in the sump to me are generally a major bad sign.

Also, is there an easy way to tell if the big end is on it's way? I was looking as closely as I could and gave it a waggle and there was next to no play on it which made me think that's in-tact but not really sure, any opinions there?



Thanks all.

 

Cracked flexiplate does make odd noises but as you say its been checked. I take it its an outside check as flexi plates have been known to crack where its bolted to crankshaft as well, but not too easily seen here. Think there's a balancer shaft on this engine so may need checked. Those bits in sump might be from a previous overhaul. Was there any fine metal shards in the oil or filings found by using a magnet. If there is engine needs looked at. I'd get that flexi fully checked first.

 

From internet a cracked flexi is akin to Rod Knock or noisy tappets.

 

Thanks goggs, yeah have been searching and found a lot on the cracked flexplate.

Thinking though, the flexplate cover has cracked and snapped/disappeared, my thinking is where are the bits/where have they gone, potentially into the flexplate/torque converter housing and rattling/clunking about, which I guess also would sound like rod knock, etc.

Either way the cracked housing/cover needs replacing, so I'm thinking get it to the autobox place and get that sorted and the flexi checked out.

 

Well I've got further now, but it's very bad news unfortunately.

Took it to an engine rebuild specialist who's worked on the 2.5 version before and he spotted the noise straight away, balance shafts are the problem. Quite common on these VM engines apparently, and he didn't rate the engines very highly at all.
He looked at the bits I found in the sump and said they probably were old o-rings or plastic parts from previous jobs and nothing to worry about, but the balance shafts were another matter, almost a rebuild to replace and correctly fit so he's questioning the worth due to the overall worth of the car.
So I'm back once again with potentially a GV to scrap, cut my losses and move on parting with more cash to get a new car.

This is the balance shaft assembly (Bolts under the main crank, it's what you see visible when you drop the pan):



I'm heartbroken as it's now my second GV that's suffered pretty major engine failure and again doesn't seem anything I could have done to prevent it or anything I've done to cause it. Just unlucky with them I suppose, and now have to weigh up options on a replacement engine, engine strip and repair or just scrap the thing.

 

You are in the wars mate, no help for me to say so - but I do feel for you and wanted to say so !