Low revs noise in DW8 engine.

paul in normandy · Unread post by **paul in normandy** » 09 May 2010, 10:40

Our Berlingo has developed a noise at low revs, tickover and just above, which disappears at higher revs, the engine gets quite a lot quieter above about 1500 rpm. Might best be described as a drumming noise, putting the metal end of a large screwdriver on various bits of the engine with the handle end to my ear has not helped isolate it.
Any ideas as to what this might be - are we about to experience a terminal bang?

The engine also appears to have developed an oil leak on the timing belt end, somewhere around the same level as the alternator, not sure if this is connected.

paul in normandy · Unread post by **paul in normandy** » 16 May 2010, 16:39

Have managed to get the cover off the inside of the wheelarch, and the car has got what appears to be a metal / rubber / metal sandwich type pulley on the crank driving the auxiliary belt. This appears to oscillate slightly (ie does not describe a perfect circle) at low revs, but the oscillation disappears at about the same speed as the revs.
I am about to order a new timing belt / water pump / fan belt etc, would it be wise to add auxiliary belt tensioner and pulley to the list, and do it all in one go, as it all appears to be a bit of a bar steward to get at.
Car has 342567 km on the clock, timing belt seems to have been last done in Dec 2005 at 256039 - so about due!

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 16 May 2010, 20:02

If it's like the Xantia setup I wouldn't start that engine again as it sounds like the crank pulley could be loose and that might be wearing the keyway and crank tail at least.

I would advise you get the crank and pulley assessed first - requires removal.

rmunns · Unread post by **rmunns** » 16 May 2010, 20:15

Can someone please advise whether this type of crankshaft pulley is fitted to my 2000 90Hdi Xantia?

I've had odd lumpy bangings on start-up (the very first firing produces a heavy bump) and droning noises on idle when the engine is warm.

But I'm reluctant to start pulling things apart unnecessarily but concerned in case there might be something serious brewing.

Car has done 50700 miles.

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 16 May 2010, 23:00

If you intend replacing the cambelt, doesn't the crank pulley have to come off?

paul in normandy · Unread post by **paul in normandy** » 26 May 2010, 19:28

Drove the car very gently to a 'man who knows' and his opinion was that the crank bolt had loosened. He's going to have a poke around at it, change the belt, idlers, and waterpump at the same time.
Will report on the outcome, in case the information is of use to anyone else.

JohnD · Unread post by **JohnD** » 26 May 2010, 19:43

paul in normandy wrote: his opinion was that the crank bolt had loosened. .

I might be wrong - but isn't the DW8 pulley held on by 4 bolts rather than the usual XUD type?

paul in normandy · Unread post by **paul in normandy** » 26 May 2010, 20:11

The DW8 'fanbelt' pulley is indeed held on by 4 bolts - I must confess I assumed he had come to the same conclusion as Mike T in his posting of 16th May at 8.02pm.
No doubt time will tell!

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 26 May 2010, 22:48

Sorry if I was being a bit dramatic, I could only think of a worse-case-scenario and had to speak up.

So I'm relieved to know it's being looked at,
regardless of first impressions.

paul in normandy · Unread post by **paul in normandy** » 27 May 2010, 20:39

Well Mike it appears your diagnosis was spot on.
Just had a call from the 'man who knows' and it was all down to a loose bolt on the end of the crankshaft. Fortunately no irrepairable damage done, but its now off to the garage to get a new oil seal and woodruff key in the morning - thanks to service.citroen.com for the part numbers and the ability to print out a parts diagram - truly a picture does tell more than a thousand words - specially when your french is not completely fluent!

The 'man who knows' was of the opinion that it is a poor design, and at best has a low margin of error or should that be utility - anyone care to comment?

paul in normandy · Unread post by **paul in normandy** » 28 May 2010, 20:21

Got the parts OK, the storeman seemed fairly familiar with the numbers!
15 euros for an oil seal!
No wonder the key gives problems - I've seen bigger ones holding the clutch pulley on a moped!

paul in normandy · Unread post by **paul in normandy** » 09 Jun 2010, 22:51

All back together now - man who knows had to machine the auxiliary belt pulley a bit to take out the wear and the noise. Did 1200 km towing small caravan and carrying 2 / 3 mopeds over the weekend and all was well.
Bloke who repaired it reckoned it was a pretty poor bit of design by the engine men at Citroen / Peugeot.
Still its all done and change out of about 150 quid!