C5 - clicking with revs [solved]

[Ben82]

dnsey: thanks, the clicking cannot be heard over the coils (haven't taken the rear cover off though so I guess it is entirely possible the sound is channeled down the side), worth checking at least. Unfortunately don't have a small AM radio

[Ben82]

Bought myself a stethoscope today, the ticking has had another erratic day, and it's gotten a lot colder (-16C!), so didn't fancy being outside for too long with the car.

With using the stethoscope I do not believe it's the idle control valve (but as I said, it was rather erratic). Tried listening in on other bits where I can, but I am currently at a loss where the noise is coming from in that area. Will have to have another bash tomorrow... I'm hoping it's not on one of the 3 under the intake manifold (I don't think so as it's supposed to be sealed on, so don't think there's anywhere the sound can "leak" out the side from).

[Mandrake]

Bought myself a stethoscope today,

Would have loved to be a fly on the wall during that purchase. "You're going to use it to listen to what ?"

[Ben82]

Bought myself a stethoscope today,

Would have loved to be a fly on the wall during that purchase. "You're going to use it to listen to what ?"

lol, it's actually a mechanics one, one part looks quite dangerous to use on humans

[CitroJim]

lol, it's actually a mechanics one, one part looks quite dangerous to use on humans

Better than the long screwdriver I use...

[Ben82]

lol, it's actually a mechanics one, one part looks quite dangerous to use on humans

Better than the long screwdriver I use...

lol my dad suggested that, i don't have a long enough screwdriver at the moment. Probably will end up getting one at some point

[Ben82]

Am at a total loss now as to where to try to diagnose next, idle control value is a no (can only hear "air"), same for the inlet manifold so that seems to rule out all spark plugs. I've poked it in various places to see if the clicking could be heard, but no such luck.. Do you think the AM radio thing would be any better in locating it?

[Hell Razor5543]

The AM radio would work if the fault is electrical (like something shorting out) as this generates electrical "noise" (static), in the same way as a storm does (but, hopefully, not to the same degree!). If the noise is mechanical the radio won't "hear" it, and wouldn't help.

[Ben82]

Hi Hell Razor, thanks, will try to acquire one and try it out.

Took another video, doesn't really help much more than the previous ones (aside from having the mic of the phone pointing vertically down most of the time), but just really confirms the area that it comes from, along with the annoyance that it can disappear without doing anything.

[Hell Razor5543]

The problem with electrical noise is that if it is sparking, the "snap" of the spark is audible by both sound and static. However, the radio will help to norrow down the type of problem.

[Ben82]

Had a quick go with the radio this morning. The issue is less pronounced at the moment (warmer and damper weather maybe?), so not so easy to hear it in the engine bay. Did move the radio around that area, and at one point there was a snapping on the radio in a similar fashion to the clicking. If i extend the aerial and poke it down the hole, the radio will squeel. Hopefully the sound will become more pronounced again so I can use the radio like an metal detector (i.e. when I can actually hear the clicking from the engine bay so have the confidence it is there!).

[Hell Razor5543]

Well, that suggests you have found roughly WHERE the problem is, now you have to find out WHAT it is. The fact the radio has picked it up implies electrical/electronic issues.

[Ben82]

Now I'm not so sure....

take a watch/listen definitely static noise coming from around there, but could be general electrical noise from the car?

[Hell Razor5543]

I think that the easiest way to check would be (if there is one available) to compare against another C5 of similar configuration, and see what you get. I don't know C5s so I don't know what that area is, or if there is anything there that would produce that static normally.

To help narrow it down further I would wear a pair of headphones so the engine noise doesn't swamp the radio noise.

[Ben82]

I think that the easiest way to check would be (if there is one available) to compare against another C5 of similar configuration, and see what you get.

Sadly, don't know anyone with a Citroen here, let alone a V6 C5.

To help narrow it down further I would wear a pair of headphones so the engine noise doesn't swamp the radio noise.

Will also give it a try, is it better to use the aerial as a "detector" or the whole radio?