AE111 BZR - Clatter/Chatter on lift off

[ALES_AE111]

Good afternoon all.

I am new to the forum and have had (I hope) a thorough search of the previous posts for a problem that sounds similar to mine, but so far nothing seems quite like it. I’d appreciate any help people can offer as I am about as useful as a chocolate kettle when it comes to engine work.

I recently bought a 1998 facelift AE-111 BZ-R (blacktop, 6spd and S/S). I had the car checked out by Car Inspection Services and it came back as all good. As it is a recent purchase I can’t say too much about the previous history of the car, but the previous owner’s father was a mechanic, so hopefully it’s been reasonably well looked after.

The car has a 2 1/4 “ exhaust from the headers back and aside from a vacuum gauge and neon lights (all scheduled for removal) appears to be stock.

Since buying it, I have had the cam belt replaced (by Giltrap City Toyota in Auckland) and have had the car serviced including an oil change. When the cam belt was replaced I had the ancillary parts (tensioners, bearings, water pump etc.) replaced as well.

Once I had had the cam belt changed and the service done, I felt more comfortable taking the car on longer runs (meaning it got to a greater temperature).

I am having an issue which manifests itself as a noisy chatter or clattering noise on lift off and am worried about using the car at present. It doesn’t sound like big ends or similar as far as I can tell (my AE92 went that way and it doesn’t sound similar).

Here’s what I’ve figured out so far:

The noise occurs on lifting off the throttle in gear.
In neutral there is no apparent noise, whether with clutch in or out.
If the throttle is applied even a tiny bit, the noise seems to go away.
The noise is worse after the car has warmed up.
The noise rises and falls with revs but seems not to be too bad below 2500-3000 rpm (though this may just be that with lower revs there’s less noise in general).
There is a little noise on heavy acceleration, but I would normally have just put this down to typical engine noise and would not have worried excessively.

I am not sure if the noise is worse since having the cam belt changed. I certainly didn’t notice it nearly as much before the change, but then I didn’t run the car much beforehand either. When I first picked up the car after the cam belt was changed, the noise was barely there at all, but it quickly returned (and is perhaps now worse).

I am unlikely to be doing any remedial work myself, but I would appreciate knowing that I was talking to someone who knew their stuff, so if anyone can suggest a mechanic who knows these cars well, preferably North Shore/West Auckland area, please let me know.

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer me, it is genuinely appreciated.

[Dopamean]

Welcome to the forum Ales_AE111

I'm sure so of the regulars will jump in and attempt to help you out soon.
I myself have experienced a few of the common engine noises coming from the BlackTop but find it hard to tell where yours would be originating.

Is it more predominant in the cabin?
Does it occur every time?
Going off a clattering sound it makes me think it sounds like the VVT pulley but this sound also is more predominant at idle.

I had this replaced and every so often when accelerating there is a definite whirring sound as the oil pressure is fluctuating.
(This is what activates the pulley).

Other than that can you get an accurate recording of the noise?
Most cell phones have the ability to record.
I'm no mechanic but that’s what I would suggest.

Edit: It's a six speed - gear box noise maybe?

Again welcome

[ALES_AE111]

Thank you for the prompt and friendly response Dopamean

I can't tell you whether it's more predominant in the cabin as I haven't had anyone else drive the car to listen from outside (didn't think of that ). Since the noise doesn't happen in neutral I can't get a recording of it when the car is parked up.
The noise definitely occurs every time, but seems to be quite a bit worse when the engine is properly at temperature. Though having said that, I don't push the car when cold, so it may be that I don't really notice it much, mostly keeping the revs from rising above about 3k when downshifting.

There is no noise at idle, so don't know where that puts me on the VVT pulley front.

I will get a recording of the noise when in the car, may have to crack out a tape deck or dictaphone though - my cell phone is pretty lo-fi... As soon as I've got a decent recording I'll post it up here.

I did wonder about gear box noise - one or two of the other posts on here where people were mentioning (perhaps?) similar noises did seem to be something to do with the gear box bearings/plates.

I'll also try and figure out whereabouts in the engine the noise is coming from - may be able to glean something from the location.

Once again, huge thanks for your time.

[Dopamean]

No problem.

Check here to eliminate that its not the pully, the link is sometimes slow to open but the sound is very clear:
viewtopic.php?t=30098

You'll be able to tell if its this or not fairly quickly.
Good luck

[rolla_fxgt]

No problem.

Check here to eliminate that its not the pully, the link is sometimes slow to open but the sound is very clear:
viewtopic.php?t=30098

You'll be able to tell if its this or not fairly quickly.
Good luck

I couldn't get that link to work, just seems to be one of those annoying advertising sites. I tried in both firefox & IE. might need to be removed from FAQ?

[ALES_AE111]

I just had the same problem.

Does anyone where the video may have been moved to / alternative hosting of it?

[Dopamean]

I works but is slow and there no pop-up the sound just comes on.
But anyways try youtube

[cedwards]

almost seems gearbox related by what you describe.
any noise on corners?
viewtopic.php?t=70989&highlight=

Also you mention it has aftermarket exhaust?
what can happen is as exhaust heats up it warps slightly coming into contact with the chassis especially when the engine rocks as you engine break (lift off)
I'd check for any sign of exhaust/chassis contact under the car and possibly worn engine mounts.

[ALES_AE111]

Hi again all,

Thank you again for your feedback on this issue. So far I haven't had a chance to get the car warmed up enough to get a decent recording of the noise, but I spoke with a mechanic I know pretty well and his feeling is that it's likely to be the exhaust issue described by cedwards. I was planning on taking it in to the fabricators of the exhaust to have them take a look at it anyway (it drones a bit too much uphill and under load, especially at around 3k which is more or less 100kph) and so at the same time I'll have a check on the clearances around the exhaust and where it meets the (factory) headers.

I'll also check the engine mounts for wear at the same time and hopefully the solution becomes a bit more apparent then.

In response to Cedwards' question on cornering, the noise occurs irrespective of whether I'm cornering or not, but thanks for the link to that thread...I'm thinking I should probably get a gearbox oil change, as I'm guessing it won't have had one. I'll let you know what comes out the other side

I'll keep you posted on progress, once again thanks for all the help!

Cheers.