Technical Engine knocking, variator changed but still sounding very rough

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Technical Engine knocking, variator changed but still sounding very rough

czechmate

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Hiya all,

Big problem with barbara barchetta. The car has over a period of around 8 months started to sound really rough and tappety.

Reading the numerous posts on the subject, I decided to have the variator replaced when it went in for a major cambelt service. Unfortunately, the sound did not stop and has continued to worsen day by day.

I travel to work every morning which is around 30km away. At start up in the garage, the noise is hardly audible for the first 3-4 minutes, however, by the time I get to work, it sounds like a very rough diesel on start up.

I have been back to the garage and the mechanic (not Fiat specialist), said that he checked the valves and could not see any displacment problems and suggested I put up with it since the engine is in good working order and trying to sort out the noise may end up costing a packet and possibly cause problems.

BTW, the return trip is noisy from start up which is usually 6 hours later.

The noise is really ticking me off now and ruining my enjoyment plus it makes the car sound like a banger rather than a classis.

ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL SINCE I KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT CAR MECHANICS.
 
I would not listen to the car mechanic and let the problem as it is.
There is defenitly something wrong.
Have you checked your camshafts when the belt was off?

If it is really tapping I would think of valves or valve guides.

Some say tapping sounds also reduce when using a low viscosity oil like 5w40.
I am using it for 2 years now and the engine is not making so much noise no more.

But this won't fix your problem. get a second opinion from an other mechanic imo
 
do you maybe have recorded sound of that? maybe we could say what's wrong. i also change all from camshafts to bearings on crankshaft.
check this video, it's 3 differnt sounds. 1. variator, 2. all changed so should be normal sound, 3 some dead valves... i don't have video how sounds when my bearings turned on crankshaft... but it's really noticable sound. like rock grinding sound.

 
Hi guys, thanks for the updates. I will definitely get a second opinion as I did not leave with much confidence when the chap said the engine is okay even though it sounds like tractor.

I will try and get a recording and post it on the website.

The problem is finding a Fiat specialist in the Czech Rpublic, and I dont want to risk drving it too far incase it goes pop!
 
Hiya. I NOW HAVE A VIDEO OF THE RACKET!

I cant post a url as i do not have 5 posts!
so the video is onwww.youtube.com/watch?v=vcTeNcia_Lw

Please have a look.

The things I have noticed are that on start up, the engine seems to sound okay but as it gets warmed up, within several minutes, the noise beomes a racket.

The follwing clip will give you an idea and ANY suggestions would be welcome. Rmember, the variator was only changed around 4 months ago with a new one (not a fix kit).

Please help. Winter is coming and I really don't fancy being stuck in the sticks with only my modesty to protect me.

Thanks again for all those who have inputted so far.
 
i will say it's dead hydraulic tappet (lifters) noise, check last 5 seconds of my video above. i paid original about 17€ per piece (x 16)
 
Hi - my apologies, I've only just seen this thread.

I'm fairly sure that from your description I know what's wrong with it - although the youtube link didn't work so I've not seen the vid.

About two months ago I had exactly the same symptoms; fine when cold, then progressively worse when warmed up. Particularly bad over 2000rpm. I took it to the specialist and it tuned out that a camshaft had worn badly, and in addition all the big end shells and bearings were replaced. I had the car fully serviced, new cam belt and variator too, and the whole lot inc labour set me back a whopping £1700.

The guy who did the repair is a very reputable Fiat specialist, and has done a fantastic job. He reckons the damage to the engine was caused by oil starvation at some point, though I've always been really careful to ensure regular changes and correct filling. So a bit of a mystery really.

I hope I'm wrong, but everything you've said does sound just like the symptoms on my car.

Adam
 
I should add - if I'm right about the diagnosis, don't drive the car at all! The more the big end shells wear, the more chance that the crank shaft will be damaged - which means engine out and a MASSIVE bill for new crank and engine rebuild.

I was lucky - no damage to crank, but get it check ASAP.
 
i have to agree with LittleSilverBoat... i also had to change all from camshaft to crankshaft... it started with sound of dead variator and I did not pay too much attention, because apparently it can not damage the engine... but in the end i had to remove whole engine out and change everything.

instead of camshafts i had flatshafts... all worn.
 
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I should add - if I'm right about the diagnosis, don't drive the car at all! The more the big end shells wear, the more chance that the crank shaft will be damaged - which means engine out and a MASSIVE bill for new crank and engine rebuild.

I was lucky - no damage to crank, but get it check ASAP.

or even worse. big end that slams a hole in the engine.
That oil starvation diagnostic. I hear it a lot. Would it be a good thing to replace the oil pump? Is it difficult to reach?
 
As I understand it, the oil pump is a bit of a pain to replace - I was going to do that but it wasn't practical.

There are 2 or 3 different pieces of gawse in and around the oil pump which need to be replaced, mine were full of crud, not to mention pieces of my camshaft....
 
Hiya all. I updated a few weeks ago and for some reason the post did not save onto the site.

Thanks for the updates again! I am left slighly worried now. The car has been on the road and driven all be it slower since the last post as I have no other car to fall back on.

I have booked the car in to have it looked at next week. Will keep you updated and hopefully it doesnt go pop in the mean time.


Sam
 
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