Take loooong screwdriver, place the pointy end against water pump housing and put the handle firmly against your ear opening.  It will look and feel strange, but it will transmit noises directly from the housing. Then you can have a little more fun and try other areas of the engine block. 

You can also remove the drive belts and start it up to quickly see if water pump, alternator or AC compressor, if present, are the culprit. 

Chris.

Wysłane z iPhone'a

Dnia Oct 21, 2014 o godz. 2:15 Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM> napisał(a):

> Hi all.
> 
> Viewed an '86 GL with sunroof today:
> http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/nvn/cto/4722437973.html
> 
> The engine starts normally and sounds like it has decent power but as
> per the ad it makes noise.
> The noise is medium loud sound like ball bearings rattling around or
> like a loud really worn out sewing machine. It's a constant set of
> "krrrrrk" sounds coming from the driver side of engine, not too far
> from centre.
> 
> AFAIK, it doesn't sound like a rod or main bearing gone bad. I've
> heard those sounds before. The oil light goes out quickly. One of my
> first thoughts was a bad coolant pump but it was replaced recently and
> it wasn't moving in/out while engine running.
> 
> Could the noise be caused by a loose set of rockers? Cam?
> 
> I know it's nearly impossible to diagnose via text but input is welcome.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Neil.
> 
> --
> Neil n
> 
> Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>
> 
> 1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>
> 
> 1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>
> 
> Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>