Strange clattering noise in the engine (GM X18XE1)

[André]

I’ve been watching your videos lately and I’ve found them to be really good, very informative. I’ve taken an interest recently in learning more about mechanics in order to solve a few niggles I’ve had with my cars. I have a noise in my X18XE1 engine (GM 1.8L in-line 4 cylinder, 16 valve, DOHC), I can’t seem to determine what the cause of it is and neither can any of the mechanics I’ve asked. I thought it was the hydraulic lifters and I’ve had all 16 of them replaced but the noise remains. Would you mind giving me a helping ear with it if I upload a video of it?
Keep up the awesome work. :)

Topic

[college man]

We will do are best to lend an ear. In the meantime this link
may help.

http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/diagnosing-noises-in-your-car

[André]

Thanks. I read through all of that, even the bits that weren’t related to engine noise in particular. I find all of this very interesting and informative. Some of the embedded videos I had already watched, others I had the pleasure of watching. The fact remains that I am still stumped, which isn’t unusual given that this is a fairly recent hobby for me so I don’t have that much experience.
That said, I could write up a bit of the car’s history and that might give you insight into what the noise is, if necessary I can do that. For now, I’ve uploaded two videos to YouTube, one of the engine idling and one it revving. Mind you I know it’s idling rough but that’s not what I’m trying to diagnose here, that was a consequence of a recent repair a mechanic performed and the noise whose source I want to pinpoint has been there for years and I haven’t gotten any mechanic to diagnose and solve it.
Here are the links:
Engine idling
Engine revving

Best regards,
André

P.S. – I noticed some noise that seems to be from a pulley on the belt (I think, perhaps you will know better) anyway that’s not the noise I am referring to but it is annoying given that the belt and the water pump have just been changed.

[Frank Aruffo]

Can you be a little more specific? does it happen when the car is cold or warmed up? how about when in idle vs when the vehicles running? A video may be useful too. You can try taking a LOOONG screwdriver and touching it to different parts of your engine, and then putting your ear on the other end of the screwdriver to listen to where the noise comes from, just like a stethoscope!

[Author]

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