Jap spec na auto engine tap

Hi this sort of question is obviously very hard to diagnose without hearing or seeing the problem. Any in put with regards to where I should start looking will be greatly appreciated.

I had the car idling yesterday with the bonnet up and I could hear a faint tapping noise what seemed to be coming from the top of the engine. The tapping disappears when revved past 1000rpm engine oil is at the correct level car runs spot on. It's so faint I can not hear it if the radio or fan is on.

More than likely a normal noise that you get from an overhead cam engine

That would be great news but I've had the car over a year now and not noticed this particular noise.

You need to either take a video with good sound so we can hear it or find a good local garage to listen to it

YouTube link

2nd clip

Something loose and vibrating in my opinion but god knows what, grab some spanners/sockets and go round the engine bay

nipping all the nuts/bolts up

I would always take off the fan belt and briefly (as your water pump/alternator won't be spinning) try it from cold to see if it's any different, just that you can rule in/out a fair few moving parts this way.

Also take off the front plastic cam cover off so you can see the cam belt and listen in that area better.

It sounds like metal cover behind cams is loose and vibrating a bit

Cheers guys it's off into a garage at the weekend we think it's the crank bearings as we have had a listen under the car and the noise is louder I'll keep you updated over the weekend

The auxiliary belt tensioner arm rubber pivot is breaking up these nowadays and can make a similar noise, Scooter as so often, is spot on, run it without the auxiliary drive belt for a minute or so (no longer as there's no water circulation) and see if it has disappeared.

The auxiliary belt tensioner arm rubber pivot is breaking up these nowadays and can make a similar noise, Scooter as so often, is spot on, run it without the auxiliary drive belt for a minute or so (no longer as there's no water circulation) and see if it has disappeared.

ah shucks that means a lot

Over 15 years I've learnt a lot from you/others and am happy to regurgitate it for anyone who'll listen. From another thread it looks like he's up for the major rebuild whether necessary or not though! (and would probably ignore the advice of trying to get a used ok NA engine instead.

A replacement engine was the first port of call but finding one you know is 100% ok is very hard engine pulled out over the weekend and as we expected main bearings are worn 2 of them more so than the others on the plus side absolutely no damage to the crank bearings now on order from whifbitz

Quick update on the tapping engine all plumbed in running but still has a slight tap nothing like before not had a proper listen but sounds like it's coming from the torque converter only rattles when revved just over idle the goes away are torque converters known for making these noises ? The gearbox changes smoothly and dosent slip I'm not sure what to do next

Get a stethoscope and go across different parts of engine/gearbox bellhousing until you can find the loudest point.

Did you remove the aux belt as advised? Its a similar noise to the one I had which was the aux belt tensioner (the spring mech inside not the pulley bearing)

Yea aux belt removed cam cover removed and still the same the rattle is very faint since the bottom end bearings were replaced where as it was a lot louder before hand the rattle only accurs just above idle the goes away if revved any higher I'd say between 800-1000rpm it rattles and I'm talking a very faint rattle I'd have to point it out to you for you to notice it.

Was the crank replaced or ground?

No the crank was checked over and was perfectly fine

Prossibly a long shot, but have you checked the Flex Plate?

I had a rattle on mine, though the worst and pulled the Engine for a rebuild, only to find the Flex Plate had cracked it two!

No idea how it still drove! lol

Richie flex plate in good shape my mechanic has had it on the ramp today had a good listen and the noise it definitely coming from the gearbox area

Ok as it stands I'm going to continue driving the car and see what happens. I've put this fault down to a gearbox flush I did about 4 weeks prior I'm hoping it will hold up for another gear untill I can afford to do a Manuel conversion.

Ok as it stands I'm going to continue driving the car and see what happens. I've put this fault down to a gearbox flush I did about 4 weeks prior I'm hoping it will hold up for another gear untill I can afford to do a Manuel conversion.

Good luck! I believe there are cheap conversions for sale in Barcelona.

Ok guys quick update I've been driving it around and I'm still geting a rattle the gear changes are still smooth and quick me and my mechanic are still convinced it's the torque converter 6 weeks prior to this issue I flushed the gearbox oil as what was in there was shocking I have a feeling that the flush has moved or dislodged some crap causing my rattle this is the only thing I can put it down too I've sourced an other t/c can any tell me if the gearbox can be removed with out taking the engine out ?