[HCFL]

Cam sound

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whyp.it

 

[HCFL]

It does sound in the belt area, did you remove it at all?

The only things removed were the valve cover and the cover of the VTC actuator. I followed the instructions to the tee, making sure as well to jam something behind the VTC gear so that it wouldn't move when removing the 5 bolts on the VTC cover.

I'm going to look at the belt tensioner right now, once I figure out how to variate tension of the belt while the engine is running, I figure that will tell me whether or not it is the tensioner or idler, or perhaps another pulley.

It's just weird how this noise would start after such a simple job.

 

[HCFL]

Could remove belt and see if noise is there.

So I put a stethoscope on the valve cover, it is definitely coming from the VTC cam gear.

I wonder if the upgraded spring could be causing this noise. I tried Spring-Start support but they put the blame on the chain tensioner or seals (which I couldn't understand how seals could cause this noise).

I am tempted to put the original spring back in the VTC gear.

I'm hoping there's someone else who's experienced this new noise after the upgraded spring, and can tell me for sure what this is and if it goes away or if it has to be addressed.

 

[HCFL]

Did the spring-start upgrade several years ago, no problems. Also, switched to Mobil1 5W-30 fully synthetic at the same time, I think running 10W-40 'regular' oil was maybe a bit heavy for cold starts.
BTW, in case you didn't see it, there is a huge VTC 'sticky' at the top of the Gen4 forum: VTC Actuator talk

I spent some time going back and forth with Spring-Start support. The person I was talking to suggested using a different strength spring, since the kit I bought might be a little too strong.

I decided to attempt the procedure again, this time with a spring that was only 25% stronger than OEM (this was one that Spring-Start included due to a previous conversation).

When I finished this time, I noticed the noise was less severe but still there. I had this idea in my head to let the engine idle and then take it for a drive. 20 minutes of idling and a short drive later, and it seems to have disappeared.

I'm not sure what the noise was, but Spring-Start support suspects it might have something to do with the TCT, since this engine is higher mileage (270k KM), and I don't know when/if the TCT/chain was ever done.

I noticed that VTC thread, but I couldn't find any information in there about what I may be experiencing. Hopefully this thread will help someone else who might have heard the same sound.