Celica Forums General Discussion Engine and Performance Engine Developed Slight Tapping Noise

Hi all

I have a 2004 Facelift Celica and I noticed yesterday that when idling there is a slight tapping noise coming from the left side of the engine. I have just had the clutch replaced and I had a knocking noise from the clutch bearing which sounded similar but was fixed. I have tried listening to the engine when the clutch is down and the tapping noise continues. It is not heard when you rev it only when idling. I get some bad vibration sometimes when idling but not all the time and the car had a full service in Feb.

The new clutch is juddering so I'm taking the car back soon as my mechanic said that the clutch required 1,000 miles to break in.

Does anyone know what this might be?

It is common for this to be the auxiliary belt tensioner bearing or the belt itself. You can check with a long screwdriver, place it near the bearing and hold the other end to your ear, if the sound is loudest near this bearing that is probably the problem.

Other possibilities are the injectors getting noisy or the timing chain being slightly slack. The timing chain is on the left hand dude of the engine under the top cover so try listening arround that area. The injectors are near the front where the inlet manifold is so listen in that area as well.

Regards,
Andy