help identifying engine noise 2009 4.4 lr3 US spec

[errolmenendez]

2009 LR3 4.4 US of A. 132k miles.
updated video below.

OK, so this is my first post. On other forums i've been a bit more contributory, but i concede, this post is purely selfish.
I'm panicking because the noise sounds engine- not accessory related like my mechanic is telling me. BUT PLEASE READ ON! He told me it was my fan clutch. In the second portion of video i posted to youtube, you can see i've stopped the rotation of the fan (with AC off of course) and the noise does not change. in fact you can hear a slight ticking sound related to the fan clutch until it starts rotating up to speed.

here's the run down (history).

I had an alternator failure a few weeks ago. Alt started howling, voltage dropped down to 11-something. replaced the alternator. I previously replaced both accessory belts and the fan belt tensioner a few months prior to alternator issue so i didn't need to change them when i did the alternator.

3 weeks later, said rebuilt alternator failed (my fault for using a quick-fix parts store brand), so i swapped it out again, this time with a Bosch unit and all was well.

truck sat for 4 days or so, and when i started it, i heard a horrible clacking noise (0:32 seconds of youtube video). it was rotational and rpm based, and didn't sound tensioner related so i thought, welp, there goes the motor. i drove it to my mechanic- engine felt fine, no CEL just that horrible sound. I left it over night. he calls me at 8 am asking why i dropped it off. "Did you start it", i replied. He had it running while he was on the phone with me. perfectly quiet. i sent him the video i recorded the night before of the horrible sound, and he deduced it to be a fan clutch. i picked it up, went on my way. had not yet ordered the fan clutch.

Today, i start it with no trouble at all. truck was silent. ran and drove fine, then a lighter version of clacking started coming back (0:45 seconds of youtube video).

so.. does this noise sound familiar to anyone? i plan on removing both accessory belts and running it to rule out drive belts/tensioners. i'll do that when i have time. any suggestions are more than welcomed.
I appreciate anyone taking their time to help me out.

-Errol

 

[Houm_WA]

That's a tough one. It's just idling...no idea. I've added to my "Ear Repertoire" the sound of a warped VVT, but that's not it.

 

[errolmenendez]

That's a tough one. It's just idling...no idea. I've added to my "Ear Repertoire" the sound of a warped VVT, but that's not it.

Good point about the idling. I’ll re-edit a video and include throttle blips and rev increases.


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[remember5]

If you have a long socket extension like 2' or more if you place one end on the engine and put your ear against the other end it works like a stethoscope and you may be able to pinpoint where it's coming from but BE CAREFUL you don't get into any moving parts. My guess is water pump but it could also be the VVT units.

 

[errolmenendez]

If you have a long socket extension like 2' or more if you place one end on the engine and put your ear against the other end it works like a stethoscope and you may be able to pinpoint where it's coming from but BE CAREFUL you don't get into any moving parts. My guess is water pump but it could also be the VVT units.

water pump has been suggested before too. god i hope that's the case. started reading up on VVT r&r. ugh. I added an updated video to my original post. just bizarre how it's intermittent. kinda leads me to believe it IS in fact oil related. maybe some passage is getting clogged disallowing oil into the units. idk. woke up this morning, truck is smooth as silk.

 

[remember5]

That well could be the VVT, comes and goes on my truck but it's more of a consistant ticking than the on and off that shows up at around 1:09. I'm not worrying about it since it's intermittent and I have other issues to worry about. Like I said if you have a long extension or any kind of metal rod you can carefully put it on the water pump housing and then put your ear to the other end and it will really pinpoint where it's coming from.

 

[errolmenendez]

That well could be the VVT, comes and goes on my truck but it's more of a consistant ticking than the on and off that shows up at around 1:09. I'm not worrying about it since it's intermittent and I have other issues to worry about. Like I said if you have a long extension or any kind of metal rod you can carefully put it on the water pump housing and then put your ear to the other end and it will really pinpoint where it's coming from.

Thanks man. I really appreciate your input on this. Next time it starts making a mockery of me, I’m going to use the scope idea.


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[errolmenendez]

Quick update, I bit the bullet and dropped it off at a reputable euro-shop near me. The noise has been intermittent the last few starts. I don’t feel comfortable driving it until I get it sorted.
I live on Long Island where, like people are packed in by the millions, there is also a lot of support and knowledgeable folks as well. Hoping to have an answer by Tuesday or so.


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[DaytonaRS7]

Quick update, I bit the bullet and dropped it off at a reputable euro-shop near me. The noise has been intermittent the last few starts. I don’t feel comfortable driving it until I get it sorted.
I live on Long Island where, like people are packed in by the millions, there is also a lot of support and knowledgeable folks as well. Hoping to have an answer by Tuesday or so.


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while i cant help with your problem, can I ask what shop you use?
I am also on Long Island and new to Land Rovers (LR4). I have brought mine to Elite Motorsports (Farmingdale) for minor repairs.They dont necessarily specialize in Land Rover, but they do a good job on my other cars and they were able to do the repairs on the LR4 no problem. Id just like to have another option for a shop incase i have a more Rover specific issue.

 

[errolmenendez]

**fixed** I replaced a faulty, 1 month old- less than 200 miles on it, belt tensioner. It must have been flexing/binding at the speed of the belt giving off that rotational sound. I have 500 miles on since installing the replacement. Perfectly quiet. First time in my life, owning over 100 cars that I’ve heard a tensioner make this type of sound. [emoji2371] but I’ll take it. Scared the crap ($$) out of me. Just happy the uncertainty is gone.


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