My new ride!

[SlowPro48]

Gonna try a few CHEAP things over the next few days to see if I can get the tapping to go away. The noise sounds more like valvetrain instead of a rod.

Hope that's the case - i.e., it's not rod or crank noise. Valves are adjusted via shim over bucket so valve noise is fairly uncommon though - unless lash is way, way out of spec - out as in it has spit a shim out and it's clattering around on top of the head...

A loose nut on the EGR pipe (at bottom of the EGR mount) is a fairly common occurrence with the 6VE1 however - and it sounds a lot like valve clatter - almost as bad as a diesel - but the fix is quick and simple and CHEAP - so check for tightness before you start trying to chase down noise in the valvetrain. If it needs tightening, a 22mm stubby wrench or flex wrench will make life easier.

If it's not the EGR then check your timing belt tensioner ASAP, as they have been known to fail and cause valve train noise. This is very important! You do not want your VX to jump time as it's a PITA to get it happy again and furthermore some say we have an interference engine so it might cost more than just your time. You're coming up on 100K miles so it's time for a new belt and tensioner anyway...

[BigMeatVX]

Welcome,

Great price!!!

check the oil pan to see if it is dented (even a small amaount)...Mabey the U-Boat Skipper was Hi-centering it through the ruts and mud$$$

I had my second VX engine toast the crank berrings (the rod berrrings were still good) because the pan had a "small" dent in it...the oil pick-up is like 1/4" off the bottom of the pan!!!! just a small dent and now shes starvin for oil!!!

[Riff Raff]

Welcome,

Great price!!!

check the oil pan to see if it is dented (even a small amaount)...Mabey the U-Boat Skipper was Hi-centering it through the ruts and mud$$$

I had my second VX engine toast the crank berrings (the rod berrrings were still good) because the pan had a "small" dent in it...the oil pick-up is like 1/4" off the bottom of the pan!!!! just a small dent and now shes starvin for oil!!!

Hmmm, good point. All the more reason to get the KILBY "belly pan" skid-plates.

[Buffy]

I did a few oil changes on it last night and ran some SeaFoam through the crankcase then put some quality oil back in it. While under there I did not notice any dents on the oil pan but I wasn't looking for anything like that either. It still tapps, if I reve the engine by hand I can feel the tapping so something is definitely knocking against something. RamAirZ has given me some great suggestions as well. I think my next step is to take the valve cover off as the noise sounds like it is coming from where the cam gears are. If all looks well there then I will dig further and see what the timing set looks like. While it is running it idles and reves smooth.

[psychos2]

Check the timing belt tensioner.Mine went bad and I thought it was something really bad.It will keep enough tension on the belt so it doesn't jump,but it taps against the bracket and makes a bad noise.If you remove the top cover on the passenger side you can push on the belt and it should be tight .If the tensioner is bad you can make the tapping noise by pushing on the belt. shawn

[Buffy]

After much reading and advice, I think I am going to follow the instructions outlined in the "Replacing the timing belt thread". If I do not find the issue, bad tensioner or something like that, I'll pull the valve cove and see what is going on under there. I figure no telling when the timing set has been changed so plan on replacing it all. Shoot high and if I find simple stuff hooray! But after all that poking around and still don't find anything then I'll just spring for a motor. But let's hope for a cheaper solution!