When were the belts and bearing changed last?

 

Has the car been standing? I had a similar metallic noise that sounded like a major engine problem after the car had stood for three months. Turned out that the balance shaft belt had stuck from sitting and on start up damaged itself. Apparently this is not uncommon on twin sparks left standing I was told. Sounded really metallic and expensive too!

It was a noise not dissimilar to yours but probably mine was louder.

 

In reply to both.

Unknown when the belts were last changed. Picked up the car last year to scratch the itch which is Alfa Romeo. It'd been SORNed for about 7 years and had no history.

So I just changed the oil and ran it for a couple of months to see if it was a keeper. Unfortunately the clutch master cylinder went so it was SORNed again until a sunny day.

Sunny day has come so replaced the clutch master cylinder. Fired it up and was ready to take it for an MOT but I ended up waiting for better weather and here we are.

Fired it up last week and this horrible noise came from the engine which until now had been pretty sweet.

It has been standing for several months with a monthly start for about 15 minutes each time to check that nothing was seized, checking the heating was working and the electric windows were free.

 

At a guess, it the tensioner/bearing failing so get the belts and all the bearing changed when you can asap.

 

The sound is definitely coming from that end of the engine so that's the most likely culprit.

Not having a garage it's been quite difficult to match up my free time with a dry sunny say to spend time on it. Was looking forward to putting it back on the road for the summer. Might have to wait till summer is in full flow before I tackle this as I'm not sure I can justify sending it to a garage for the work as I got it so cheap.

Although I see that Alfa workshop have a special offer on at the moment £325 for cam belt, cam belt tensioner, idler, balancer shaft belt, balancer shaft tensioner, fitting and VAT. Very tempted.

 

Taking the cam belt cover off might help to diagnose the problem. I definitely wouldn't drive it anywhere sounding like that.

 

I have heard something similar and it was the crankshaft pulley. See if taking the auxiliary belt off makes a difference. I don't think that the cause of the noise will reveal itself until covers are removed.

 

With a 7 year old cambelt and that noise - the knocking and the whirring, I wouldn't even start it again. I am with ^^ armoore

£325? Do it tomorrow!!

Get them to change the variator and water pump, again, as armoore says at the same time.

 

Thanks everyone for your advice, much appreciated.

As much as I would like to keep it, we have to depart company.

Free to anyone who can collect it from Bracknell.

Wonder were the best place to post a message for someone looking for a project or spares ?

Details
1997 Phase one Alfa Romeo GTV 2.0 TS 916 first registered 9/1/97
83220 miles
Only 1 red key
Airbag ECU has been removed (faulty 60625181)
no MOT
SORNed

History: None.
It was SORNed for several years. When I acquired it February 2016 I was told that the clutch slave had been replaced.
Since then it's had a new clutch master cylinder, new rear spring drivers side and a new battery. Oil and filter change when I picked the car up.
Airbag ECU 60625181 is out of the car as it is faulty.
Needs two exhaust manifold studs drilled out (snapped when we were doing the clutch master).

Interior looks okay and the heater fan and both driver side and passenger side electric windows work.

PM me on here if interested.

Photos on my google drive.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vZTHFqlp9yLz5ao9PZHA35OpK0UuYzqp?usp=sharing