Im hoping my fellow wizards can help me diagnose this motor clicky sound
to me it sounds like a leaky head gasket or leaky exhaust

i dont think ts the exhaust because ive had the exhaust off and installed new gaskets

i also have an oil leak coming from the left top by the the base of the distributor

here is a youtube video

any help is appreciated
glenn

 

All I see is a gp white in a white out snow storm .

 

Probably the timing belt tensioner cap. Easy fix. 2 10mm nuts and an inexpensive gasket.

 

 

If you put your hand with a rag over the exhaust pipe , blocking the flow out the tail pipe , with the motor running , does the exhaust make it out the leak ?

 

It appears you have a head leak. Check if you have any loose or broken head studs.

 

i thought it might be one of the heads leaking does this mean dropping the motor and if needed head gaskets and head studs?

thanks
glenn

 

It does.
I would verify further (i.e. by removing the valve cover and check if studs are loose or broken - tighten if loose, compression/leakdown test, check if you can feel the compression leak around the head with your hand, find the source of the oil leak - likely one of the front cylinders on the left side) before dropping the engine, as it's no small task. Also, limit running the engine in this condition.

 

Everything i've read suggests that re-tightening the heads on these cars is not advisable.

My car makes a similar racket and it has dampness on the cylinders.

 

Sounds like a VW bug

 

Thanks Darth i think i'll remove the valve covers check the studs then do a leak down

best
glenn

 

This sounds more exhaust related to me? It doesn't sound like a tappet where in my case there was a definite metallic clicking heard from the left wheel arch.

I caught mine in time as it turned out to be a rocker bolt coming loose which had thrown out the valve timing.

 

In February i had reset the valve lifers and didn't notice anything lose

i not check the studs though

this sound has been going on for a while

glenn

 

Sounds to me like an exhaust leak. Maybe one of the gaskets on the head or in the exhaust system. Take a piece of rubber hose, stick one end in your ear and probe around with the other end. You can find out exactly where it is.

 

thanks for the hose tip i had the exhaust off last winter and installed new gaskets (this sound has been going before the new gaskets)

i will try the hose trick thou

thanks
Glenn