Today for the 1st time the dreaded BRRR tick - VVT

[Volvo2002]

Today heard the BRRR tick from the engine and once the bonnet was up was coming directly from the timing belt area and weirdly it disappeared. Looks like I'm officially apart of the VVT fault club

I don't have the money to replace it and was wondering if damage could be caused by driving with it? It's clear it's at the early stage of it failing but it's there nonetheless.

[btsam]

ey up,

had a similar scary moment not too long back, what oils is she using and when was the last oils change?

i switched to magnatec and gave her a damn good run and all has been good thus far, touch wood

s

[Volvo2002]

Originally Posted by btsam

ey up,

had a similar scary moment not too long back, what oils is she using and when was the last oils change?

i switched to magnatec and gave her a damn good run and all has been good thus far, touch wood

s

Oil changed in Feb 2012 with Castrol GTX 10W-40.

[tt82]

Sorry to hear that Tom. Whens your cambelt due for its next renewal?

[Volvo2002]

Originally Posted by tt82

Sorry to hear that Tom. Whens your cambelt due for its next renewal?

Previous owner changed it in Sept 2010 so it's been done.

[tt82]

To be honest, and bear in mind this is just my own opinion, from my understanding of the VVT, with it broke it will just be running like a normal cam setup. That in itself shouldn't cause any harm, only that you won't be getting the best power/economy. The VVT pulley is already knackered so that doesnt matter, only thing is will it damage the actual outlet cam by keep trying to adjust it.

[Volvo2002]

Originally Posted by tt82

To be honest, and bear in mind this is just my own opinion, from my understanding of the VVT, with it broke it will just be running like a normal cam setup. That in itself shouldn't cause any harm, only that you won't be getting the best power/economy. The VVT pulley is already knackered so that doesnt matter, only thing is will it damage the actual outlet cam by keep trying to adjust it.

I see.

Was pricing it up. I think Rufe sell them for £104 with the discount. The worry is the labour costs for the repair.

[Volvo2002]

Might be a long shot but here goes.

Car was started from cold, is it possible for the VVT to make noise but then disappear and it not be a faulty VVT pulley?

[tt82]

Watch this vid.

+ YouTube Video

With the VVT broke we simplt revert to fixed valve timing, depending on which system we use (I'm not sure but think its the first mentioned), when its broke you may have the valves set for either high or slow rpm. Again I'm not sure if when broke it reverts back to the standard or can get stuck any a position between normal or fully changed.

My deduction based on Andyd saying not all broke VVT pulleys leads me to believe it possible for it to get stuck in any position and possibly that those with the brr-tick noise its stuck for high rpm and it's constantly trying to change it for low rpm at idle speed. Its possible mine might be stuck in low rpm mode and so is fine at idle but I might get the brr-tick at higher rpm as the pulley trys to adjust it. Might explain my bad MPG figures.

Again I'm no expert and this is only my thoughts based on what I read and hear but it makes sense to me.

[gatos]

You brought all this to yourself Thomas........ Worrying about it all these months.......

On a serious note.... Sorry to hear this. at least you can now get a new VVT and replace it and you will not have to worry about it for a long time after this. We have a spare VVT bettween Siamblue and me as a back up, but ideally I would not recommend a second hand unit unless if you are extremely desperate and very low on cash. And the part is not so expensive, considering the labour costs.

You can drive the car with no problems at all. Nothing will go wrong with your car. Ideally, I would also unplug the VVT solenoid, so it does not make that awful noise