Technical What the hell is this noise - 2000 Ducato 1.9td

[T MAN]

Hello all!

Oh, the joys of having an older 1.9td Ducato

Over the last few months I've had this erratic "popping" sound develop from the left side of the engine.

It started intermittently but now has become apparent almost every startup, and I feel that it's gotten louder.

Sound varies with RPM, no vibrations, nothing else amiss, alternator charges well and she drives as (slow) as usual.

After driving at least 20 or 30 minutes the sound almost subsides, maybe my mind is playing tricks on me, but it becomes so quiet that I couldn't record it on video over the sound of the engine idling.

I've attached a video, if anybody has any ideas... power steering/timing belt/alternator (2 years old) are down there, and there's no idler pulley on these engines

Any input appreciated

 

[bugsymike]

Hello all!

Oh, the joys of having an older 1.9td Ducato

Over the last few months I've had this erratic "popping" sound develop from the left side of the engine.

It started intermittently but now has become apparent almost every startup, and I feel that it's gotten louder.

Sound varies with RPM, no vibrations, nothing else amiss, alternator charges well and she drives as (slow) as usual.

After driving at least 20 or 30 minutes the sound almost subsides, maybe my mind is playing tricks on me, but it becomes so quiet that I couldn't record it on video over the sound of the engine idling.

I've attached a video, if anybody has any ideas... power steering/timing belt/alternator (2 years old) are down there, and there's no idler pulley on these engines

Any input appreciated

I can hear a rhymic ticking/slapping sound rather than popping, if that is your noise and more on belt side of engine, first try to see if turning the steering effects it as it loads the power steering pump and auxilary belt area,also the same test but putting headlights on to load the alternator, then try running engine with that belt off for a test, if noise still there I would inspect cam belt area.
Another test as you mention it goes off when warmed up, is when the noise is happening give that auxilarybelt a squirt of WD40 to see if noise temporarily goes away, this is just to locate the source it is not a cure and the WD40 soon rubs away so not harmful.

 

[Mike1alike]

It kind if sounds like belt slapping.

 

[Zardo]

If it's those high-frequency noises (like kind of very succint bird chirps) your talking about, it might very well be a leak present in one of the exhaust manifold gaskets of one or two cylinders. However, they would need to be in sync with RPM.

 

[Communicator]

If it's those high-frequency noises (like kind of very succint bird chirps) your talking about, it might very well be a leak present in one of the exhaust manifold gaskets of one or two cylinders. However, they would need to be in sync with RPM.

To my ears the engine beats seemed slightly irregular. Couple this with above and I could think head gasket leaking, I hope that this is wrong!

 

[bugsymike]

I say try the cheap tests first.

 

[Ocwobio]

I can hear a rhymic ticking/slapping sound rather than popping, if that is your noise and more on belt side of engine, first try to see if turning the steering effects it as it loads the power steering pump and auxilary belt area,also the same test but putting headlights on to load the alternator, then try running engine with that belt off for a test, if noise still there I would inspect cam belt area.
Another test as you mention it goes off when warmed up, is when the noise is happening give that auxilarybelt a squirt of WD40 to see if noise temporarily goes away, this is just to locate the source it is not a cure and the WD40 soon rubs away so not harmful.

Water from a spray bottle will work too.

 

[Ocwobio]

Something heat related, exhaust flange leak, cylinder head gasket, crack in head? As it warms the parts are heating, expanding, and sealing slightly better hence lessening noise. Belts can do it, and it seems like that, wet the belt see if it goes away for a short time.