106 GTi Sewing Machine

[James93]

Hi,

Ive recently changed the engine in my 106, as my old one went pop due to spark plug failure.

Ive noticed (Same in my old 106 Engine) after coming off the track or after spirited driving the car taps like mad like a Sewing Machine, this engine however is alot louder than my old engine and after returning to standstill or normal driving conditions the noise simply stops. On my old engine it was only when driving hard however this engine sometimes randomly starts tapping (not as loud as coming off track) then stops about 30 seconds later.

Engine oil is full and using Castrol GTX 10w40 Semi. The engine was serviced along with new Cambelt Waterpump Head Gasket and Valve Stem Seals before going back in the car.

What causes this? the being on track part i understand as the oil pickup is on the right and the oil is mainly forced over to the left of the sump as majority of tracks are right hand bends, but why on normal driving? what should i be looking at?

Thanks

[Manu]

Oil pump?

[stevo67]

Would a baffled sump not cure this?

[James93]

Not too sure where to start with it. Yeah a baffled sump probably would help but why is it tapping randomly when driving then stops? Not to the extent of after coming off track just random. Strange as the engine is lovely and hums makes no abnormal noises at all 99% of the time can barely even hear it on idle!

[axsaxoman]

hydraulic lifters getting worn ?

[James93]

It does sound very top end like quitens down after about 30 seconds and returns to normal just sounds like a bag of nails rattling around until then

[axsaxoman]

are you using higher rpm than std

rev limter been lifted?

[James93]

No mate lower rev limit! Set at 7100 to keep everything safe

[sexy_gt]

Oil temp. Hot thin oil/noisey lifters.

Do you run oil cooler?

[James93]

I don't mate no, mines the older engine without one, seems I should invest in a Mocal cooler! Then why does it sometimes tap away on the road randomly then stop under no harsh driving conditions? I currently use Castrol GTX 10w40, would you recommend another oil?

[axsaxoman]

change oil type --NO- lifters sounds best guess

[James93]

Thanks John - what oil would you recommend?

[axsaxoman]

changing oil spec will not cure your problem --inspect lifters +replace

[James93]

I know it's not down to the oil it's something else causing the issue, but I'm asking would you reccommend using 10w40 or use something different for the track?

The only thing that's making me question lifters is that when it's first fired up it's silent, lifters usually make a racket until they pump up correct? It's only after coming off the track or randomly when driving starts making the tapping noise, usually when driving slowly/low rpm, it's quite loud too. I'll try capture it next time the noise occurs for better understanding of what I'm trying to describe.

[axsaxoman]

maybe you have a broken valve spring ?--what ever it needs a physical examination to look at things

[James93]

The engine has only covered around 400 miles since changing head gasket cam belt water pump stem seals valves reseated etc, everything looked okay. I know it's possible damage could of been done in those 400 miles however if it were to be a valve spring wouldn't the noise be constant opposed to completely random? 95% of the time it's silent and runs lovely

[bytor]

Just how hard are you pushing the engine? Poor Oil will get very hot. I've had standard 16v's with oil temp gauge on the dashboard up past the max on avg oil, castrol gtx i would class as an average oil if not sub.

I would like to hear the noise to diagnose really.