'12 R58 JCW can't find noise in head!
 

OK I didn't want to post this but I am pulling my hair out trying to figure this out.

We picked up a '12 JCW R58 and it had what turned out to be just a failed oil cooler gasket. Car ran great and was quiet before we started replacing parts. Now after head refresh there is loud chatter coming from head. I just ordered a new vanos intake gear and solenoid and lifters. Lifters all feel tight against cams and there's zero play, but seriously at wits end here.

If after replacing this what else is there?

Here is what is new just for elimination purposes:

Water pump, vac pump, belt, valve seals, timing chain and all related bolts (Detroit tuned kit), valve cover and gasket, crossover pipe, t-stat housing, aux pump, main and rod bearings, head gasket, Arp studs, injectors, and a bunch of other stuff....😒

Any more ideas?

Yup...checked it and it's good. Appreciate the suggestion tho!

Just to update the thread:

Replaced all lifters, the Vanos solenoid and the Vanos sprocket. Still have ticking sound. It is better than it was but definitely still present and gets louder with more throttle. At idle, it's pretty quiet. This sound was not there before the rebuild. Not sure what else to try...

OK still working on this crazy slapping-clacking-ticking sound. Replaced the tensioner assembly and pulley on ac compressor. STILL happening.

I've done some searching on here and dug up an old thread where someone had similar issue and it ended up being the friction wheel being crappy Dayco unit. He put old one back on and sound went away....

So now my question is, maybe the Gates belt I put on during rebuild is somehow rough land causing the friction wheel to jump around?

All that's left to replace is the water pump pulley (wheel) and switching the belt to some other brand (oem).

The sound only happens between 2-3,500 rpm when motor is not under load. Engine brake and it goes away. Generously accelerate, noise goes away. 🤔

Anyone else had issues due to an aftermarket belt causing this? If I had the belt that was on it when we bought it I would swap it back on to see if noise improves but it's long gone from 2 months ago when I did engine refresh.

It may help to post a video with sound so that people can hear the nature of chattering noise.

It's hard to hear from inside the cabin. We have to roll the window down to hear the clacking. It's on the passenger side, for sure. We did take a quick video yesterday, but I'm not sure how well it captured it. We'll post it if it's helpful.

BTW, this is a list of everything we did. Including 2 oil changes back to back.

Transmission fluid Rod bearings

Main bearings

ARP rod cap bolts

ARP head studs

Head gasket

Piston rings

Honed block

Head refresh-lapped valves, cleaned ports, new valve seals, new lifters

New Vanos Solenoid and sprocket

Vacuum pump

Updated timing chain tensioner and chain

Water pump

Aluminum crossover pipe

Aluminum thermostat housing

New oil pan gasket

New auxiliary water pump

Turbo oil feed and drain lines

Silicon coolant pipes

Upgraded FMIC

Clutch and throw out bearing

Passenger side axle and wheel bearing hub assembly

ECS aluminum valve cover

Silicone charge pipes

Turbo X diverter valve

H&R Springs

Oil cooler rebuild

New performance coil packs

Colder NGK plugs

New fuel injectors

Catless downpipe

CF Turbo blanket

Resonator delete

Friction wheel and belt

Belt tensioner

A/C compressor bearing and pulley

Exhaust Cam Gear

Parked in neutral or only when driving?

Both, doesn't matter. It's usually after the car has been running 5-10 minutes too.

Here is link to video. Wind noise is loud so hopefully it works

Driving video

A couple more questions...

Given your ability to reproduce noise when parked:

1) Have you tried pinpointing location of noise using an engine stethoscope?

2) With the right front wheel and wheel liner removed, have you carefully observed the water pump pulley, friction wheel, belt tensioner, belt, and alternator when you hear the noise?

Yes, tried stethoscope. No one spot jumped out at me. Will put it back on quickjacks and pull front wheel again and take another video. Will also try removing belt and seeing if sound goes away.