Hi all. Recently did my timing chain, more details in the other thread if you want to know how it went (took a long time but I'm confident I did everything (except the oil pan) correctly. I'm now having the issue explained above, it only happens on cold starts and it sounds exactly like the timing chain used to. Unlike before, it persists until the engine is up to temp, but going above 2500 RPM completely stops the noise. I would record a video, but I don't have anything to hold the phone. I should add that the noise is not there while in neutral and idling.
I'm not sure if putting the clutch in while moving stops the noise, I wonder if that matters or not. I also don't get an oil light of any kind. I went out and found a pretty level place to check the oil level and it was right at the maximum, if anything the car was tilted a tiny bit uphill but maybe 1 or 2 degrees.
I could take the timing case off and take a look but would rather avoid that because then I'd need to buy £80 of new stretch bolts and a new gasket which I would really prefer to avoid. I think the symptoms seem unusual enough that maybe someone has had this exact issue before, so thought I'd ask before doing all that. Currently I think it might be the Febi Bilstein timing chain tensioner I got. The SKF timing chain kit I got was missing it and autodoc sent me a Febi Bilstein tensioner as a replacement so I just put it on, I haven't had issues with them before but I've heard some people say it's **** (it's a German brand though so I always assumed it would be ok).
It might also be something to do with the oil pump, it would explain why going above 2500 RPM fixed it. I actually checked as I was writing this but the oil pump was also a Febi part.
I also thought it might be the oil but it's Castrol 5W30 so I doubt that was the issue. It wasn't particularly cold this morning either.
If anyone has anything to add please let me know, if someone can save me from taking this engine apart again I will be extremely grateful.
I'm not sure if putting the clutch in while moving stops the noise, I wonder if that matters or not. I also don't get an oil light of any kind. I went out and found a pretty level place to check the oil level and it was right at the maximum, if anything the car was tilted a tiny bit uphill but maybe 1 or 2 degrees.
I could take the timing case off and take a look but would rather avoid that because then I'd need to buy £80 of new stretch bolts and a new gasket which I would really prefer to avoid. I think the symptoms seem unusual enough that maybe someone has had this exact issue before, so thought I'd ask before doing all that. Currently I think it might be the Febi Bilstein timing chain tensioner I got. The SKF timing chain kit I got was missing it and autodoc sent me a Febi Bilstein tensioner as a replacement so I just put it on, I haven't had issues with them before but I've heard some people say it's **** (it's a German brand though so I always assumed it would be ok).
It might also be something to do with the oil pump, it would explain why going above 2500 RPM fixed it. I actually checked as I was writing this but the oil pump was also a Febi part.
I also thought it might be the oil but it's Castrol 5W30 so I doubt that was the issue. It wasn't particularly cold this morning either.
If anyone has anything to add please let me know, if someone can save me from taking this engine apart again I will be extremely grateful.
