Engine noise diagnose assistance - Possible vario cam actuator/pad/chain issue?

[bg305]

I made another video hopefully with better sound: https://photos.app.goo.gl/nESH5um2LB7S11LN6

Since the sound is more pronounced when (or maybe even not present until) the vario cam actuators activate, perhaps unhooking them as Homeoboxster suggests would add a clue if the noise goes away? (the additional tension of actuation is required to cause it)

Coming full circle to what I know I have to deal with anyway could it be that part of the pad broke away and the noise is the chain hitting/rubbing part of the metal support as it is actuated and the angle changes, but when it is not actuated it is riding on what is left of the pad?

[Homeoboxter]

At some point you will have to replace the pads anyway because they are falling apart. If you want to get an idea about how long it will last you can inspect them with a borescope if you have one.

Originally Posted by bg305

I made another video hopefully with better sound: https://photos.app.goo.gl/nESH5um2LB7S11LN6

Since the sound is more pronounced when (or maybe even not present until) the vario cam actuators activate, perhaps unhooking them as Homeoboxster suggests would add a clue if the noise goes away? (the additional tension of actuation is required to cause it)

Coming full circle to what I know I have to deal with anyway could it be that part of the pad broke away and the noise is the chain hitting/rubbing part of the metal support as it is actuated and the angle changes, but when it is not actuated it is riding on what is left of the pad?

[Homeoboxter]

[QUOTE=bg305;635176]I made another video hopefully with better sound: https://photos.app.goo.gl/nESH5um2LB7S11LN6

Yeah, looks like it happens right at the changeover. And it`s very similar to the rattle in mine. Can you also hear it when the engine covers are back on?

[bg305]

[QUOTE=Homeoboxter;635180]

Originally Posted by bg305

I made another video hopefully with better sound: https://photos.app.goo.gl/nESH5um2LB7S11LN6

Yeah, looks like it happens right at the changeover. And it`s very similar to the rattle in mine. Can you also hear it when the engine covers are back on?

I only had it running the one time before and it was all buttoned up. That's when I said it almost sounded like a subaru... best way I can describe it. The engine just sounded "ruff" not the usual smooth song it sings.

I honestly thought it might be an exhaust header or exhaust leak when I heard it in the car driving with the cover on.

[Homeoboxter]

[QUOTE=bg305;635182]

Originally Posted by Homeoboxter

I only had it running the one time before and it was all buttoned up. That's when I said it almost sounded like a subaru... best way I can describe it. The engine just sounded "ruff" not the usual smooth song it sings.

I honestly thought it might be an exhaust header or exhaust leak when I heard it in the car driving with the cover on.

I can barely hear anything when the covers are back on. But when I was test driving the car after the rebuild I had the same noise at 2500 rpm. I couldn`t really find the source so I kept using it to see if it gets worse. It`s over 3000 miles now and I think it actually got better, I can`t hear it any more. I`ll double check it though with the covers off. If you want to do the solenoid disconnect test you can reach the left one through behind the driver seat, and the right one from above. You`ll have the CEL on, just FYI.