LOUD engine rattling sound that doesnt go away! VIDEO ADDED, HELP!

[Dr_Smith]

Sounds like Vanos noise to me.

[IanP]

Originally Posted by diyanich

When I bought my X,it had no oil pressure and was making this kind of noise,but louder.Later I decided to get an engine swap.I bought my X cheap,I knew it had engine problem.
So,my anticipation,based on my experience,if you keep running it like that,you may get into the same situation.Don't run it until it gets worse,if you get into oil starvation situation(if that noise is timing chain related) you may get more damage.

Couldnt agree more, got the bills to prove it. If you can get a warranted second hand engine it would probably be the better way to go. I couldnt find a 4.6 at any price.

[jsprenciso]

My vehicle is the same year 2002 4.4i has 122k miles when I started hearing clanking noise, mine came with coolant leak after overnight while vehicle in a garage. A week later my water pump went out. I took it in to get work on, I told the mechanic to change my upper and lower timing cover gasket seals since it were leaking oil. I came to find out both Vanos was bad. The mechanic showed me the part's that it shouldn't spin around freely, it should only turn 1/8" inch. I had it replaced to include the water pump the Vanos cost me 95 euro each. My head gasket was leaking also so I had change cleaned and changed other parts i.e.. CCV. Grand total was 3600 euro, approximately $4800 dollars.
I thought about purchasing used engine but I do not want to take the chance having the same issues later on... Fortunately my piston are still good condition after returning from the specialist.

[diyanich]

When you say Head Gasket,I assume you mean Valve Cover gaskets,right?

Originally Posted by jsprenciso

My vehicle is the same year 2002 4.4i has 122k miles when I started hearing clanking noise, mine came with coolant leak after overnight while vehicle in a garage. A week later my water pump went out. I took it in to get work on, I told the mechanic to change my upper and lower timing cover gasket seals since it were leaking oil. I came to find out both Vanos was bad. The mechanic showed me the part's that it shouldn't spin around freely, it should only turn 1/8" inch. I had it replaced to include the water pump the Vanos cost me 95 euro each. My head gasket was leaking also so I had change cleaned and changed other parts i.e.. CCV. Grand total was 3600 euro, approximately $4800 dollars.
I thought about purchasing used engine but I do not want to take the chance having the same issues later on... Fortunately my piston are still good condition after returning from the specialist.

[jsprenciso]

No, head engine block.

[KCX5factor]

I just finished replacing my timing chain guides. STEELHEADER helped me out. I spent around 500usd for parts. It's no fun but I'd do it again before I swapped the motor! I probably had 14-15 hours in it. The worst part is the special tools you need for the timing!

[IanP]

Dont know about the US, but I managed to hire the timing tools in the UK for around £100 for 10 days

[Livefreeordie]

Does my noise sound just like yours kcx5factor? Could my noise possibly be a tensioner? Is there any way of checking without ripping everything apart? Also can you adjust, tension the chain outside at the front of the engine? I thought i heard someone say this but its probably bull!?

[IanP]

Originally Posted by Livefreeordie

Does my noise sound just like yours kcx5factor? Could my noise possibly be a tensioner? Is there any way of checking without ripping everything apart? Also can you adjust, tension the chain outside at the front of the engine? I thought i heard someone say this but its probably bull!?

You cant adjust the chain outside the engine, all the tensioners are automatic. Some have changed the the tensioner on the RH side which is accesible from the outside, and tensions the long chain, with good results. The other one can only be got at from inside.. But if its rattling, the tensioners are so c*ap that they are probably damaged, you might get away for it for a while if you are going to sell it.....................

[KCX5factor]

First things first. Are there little metal flakes in the oil filter? If there is, it's too late for a new tensioner. Also, drop the skid plate and pull the oil pan. If there are chunks of plastic in there the guides are gone. The tensioner is a piston style that has a "cap" over it. You can thread that out and replace it with a spark plug socket on the passenger side. You have to remove the air box to get to it. It's in the side of the upper timing cover. But, trust me, your guides are gone and that chattering is the chain slapping against an aluminum horseshoe shaped rail in the center. You'll need the three guides that you can find on ebay in a kit. You'll need new valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket and water pump gasket. And if you ask anyone who's done this, you're gonna have two headaches: Removing the valve covers and breaking the crankshaft bolt loose.