Petrol sounds like a Diesel

[RadicalRooster]

Hi all,
I’ve not long had my 60 plate Astra 1.6 SRI, so still getting used to what’s ‘normal’.
The latest thing I’ve noticed is when pulling away at low revs and generally the noise from the engine with the bonnet open for example, is that it sounds like a diesel!
Coming from a silky smooth Civic 1.8 VTEC, this is very much a surprise.
Is this ‘normal’? It’s been serviced, new cam belt and MOT.
Thanks

[niteram]

I have 2 astras both with 1.6 petrol engines, one is auto and one manual
both of these engines are smooth and quiet, I can drive up behind people without them hearing me coming!
without hearing your noise, its hard to say what it is.
it could be a blowing exhaust manifold or a noisy alternator or something else
best get someone to have a listen, do you have a friendly garage?
or did you buy it from a garage? if so maybe they would like to comment?

I also used to have a Civic (spooky)

[RadicalRooster]

Thanks for your reply.

I’ll make a video and post it so you can hear. Inside the car is generally lovely and quiet, but from the outside it’s much louder and rattly than my Civic was.

I’ve only had it a few weeks bought from a used dealer, I pushed for a lot of things to get sorted (new tyre, cam belt etc) and they were under the impression it’s running fine.

Let me get that video and see what you think.

[Rusty2009]

I have 2  astras both with 1.6 petrol engines, one is auto and one manual
both of these engines are smooth and quiet, I can drive up behind people without them hearing me coming!
without hearing your noise, its hard to say what it is.
it could be a blowing exhaust manifold or a noisy alternator or something else
best get someone to have a listen, do you have a friendly garage?
or did you buy it from a garage? if so maybe they would like to comment?

I also used to have a Civic (spooky)

This reminds me off when I had Astra-G 1.4 drove up behind someone that was stood in the middle of the road and I blasted the horn damn I've never seen anyone jump so far in my life .

Sorry off topic

[RadicalRooster]

Here’s that video, not much to see as it was dark, but I have my phone right near the front grill.

What do you reckon? To my ears it’s quite rattly...


https://youtu.be/gDXE7-ztx6g


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jpbroad1970]

That's not right for a 1.6 they are normally really quiet.
Hard to make out if it's an exhaust blow or mechanical.
Does it change with revs?

[RadicalRooster]

That's not right for a 1.6 they are normally really quiet.
Hard to make out if it's an exhaust blow or mechanical.
Does it change with revs?

Yes, the noise changes with the revs.

I’ve been reading it can be the cam pulleys? Strange thing is the garage put in a new cam belt kit...

I’ve been trying to find a video to compare, I don’t suppose anyone with a ‘healthy’ 1.6 can upload a video?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jpbroad1970]

It could be vvt pulley noise.
Is it worse high up the rev range?

---

https://youtu.be/D-kKLPtIY14

---

Renault were prone to it, worse when warm engine if I remember right.

[RadicalRooster]

It could be vvt pulley noise.
Is it worse high up the rev range?

---

https://youtu.be/D-kKLPtIY14

---

Renault were prone to it, worse when warm engine if I remember right.

If anything it’s not as noticeable the higher the revs.

Pulling away at low revs sounds a bit like a diesel from inside the cabin.

Mine doesn’t sound anywhere as bad as the video you just shared! (Luckily!).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jpbroad1970]

That is quite severe on the video .

I would take it to garage, my 1.6 was whisper quiet .

If I were to hazard a guess I would say your vvt is on way out. I'm not a mechanic though.

[RadicalRooster]

That is quite severe on the video .

I would take it to garage, my 1.6 was whisper quiet .

If I were to hazard a guess I would say your vvt is on way out. I'm not a mechanic though.

Sounds expensive...

They wouldn’t have done anything that could have effected it when changing the cambelt would they?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jpbroad1970]

Shouldn't do no, has your car done many miles ?

I've not heard any horror stories on the 1.6 although mine did have a noisy gearbox but was sorted by the company I bought it from.

---

http://replace-timing-belt.com/how-to-re...ra-j-1-6i/

[RadicalRooster]

Shouldn't do no, has your car done many miles ?

I've not heard any horror stories on the 1.6 although mine did have a noisy gearbox but was sorted by the company I bought it from.

---

http://replace-timing-belt.com/how-to-re...ra-j-1-6i/

It’s done 64,000 miles, the first owner did around 12,000 a year, the second only around 3,000 a year, so I hope it’s not due to lack of use.

I was weary coming from my Civic, I had no issues at all after 8 years of owning a diesel then a petrol. Absolutely nothing went wrong!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[niteram]

I'm sorry, but to my ears both those vids sound very similar to me.