[fsurfer]

Hi all,

The car is a 2000 2.5 V6 Vectra new engine fitted 2004, 3.8 Bar FPR, Induction kit, twin cat back sport exhaust - rest is standard.

A week or so ago I was driving up a hill about 60 - 70 and it has a sharp brow, I came over the car had lifted and came down with a thud.

The engine had loss of power and a rattling noise, bit like messing gears - this went and hasn't returned for well over a week, came back today.

I have tried blanking the EGR valve - as that can make a similar noise and removed the Bosch Super 4's, as they were fitted a few days before. I have checked the Cat, manifold and sensor connections, there are no warning codes logged.

I had added Cataclean - not sure if thats the problem.

Now I read somewhere about an engine retarding and a strange noise, it was fuel related, have added Redline SL1 - no difference.

I have talked to my local garage who have ruled out cambelt - engine done 11-14,000 miles, there's no overheating - so it isnt water-pump bearings, PAS pump works, no clutch slip - my garage can't give a definate answer as the noise isn't there all the time, as the car purrs like a lion normally and pull away no problem.

The noise isn't there until I push the car it then comes back, so I am wondering fuel filter as if I push it again it goes away.

Any thoughts?

[matt-m]

could you do a video of the car when it does the noise may make it easier for us to identify it ?

[Leeky]

Thats actually a top idea Matt!

Take your camera with you, and when it does it, record it.

Are you certain its not a bracket thats just vibrating at certain engine revs?? For example, something held on behind the dash thats vibrating at higher engine speed?

[fsurfer]

Found it....stickie tappet / hydraulic damper, it was there when I started from cold and went then after school run it returned so the garage was able to identify - in with the wynns hydraulic valve lifter treatment.

So happy now

[matt-m]

lol excellent trying to diagnose a car over the web is difficult but good news on the tappet and hope the wynns does it

[fsurfer]

Fingers-crossed, the last time the oil was changed was when I cracked the sump lol (that liquid metal is a godsent) so have been topping up with part-synthetic

[Leeky]

I'd put the sump on your to do list. If the liquid metal fails, you'll lose your oil pretty quickly.

Glad you found the problem mate.

[fsurfer]

Hahaha I smacked the sump over 2 years ago have the usual dribble from the low-level oil sender in the sump (have a new seal and compound, but its a case of do when I have to) but other than that everything is cool - have a old white sheet under car and I always check before starting. Went over a man-hole cover at my local morrison's garage AA came out and fixed and had a free meal for me and the kids + enough castrol to refil. They wouldnt entertain a claim though .... it hadnt happened to anyone else, price of having a lowered car.

God running a car is worse than bringing up children lol

[Leeky]

To change the oil level sensor o-ring you'll need to first remove the oil sump. So I'd recommend you change the sump at the same time.

Cars are expensive...