loud mettalic noise

["Ed Shiers" <mcji6es2@fs1.me.umist.ac.uk>]

Hi, 
I've got this problem with vw which seems v. similar to a current 
thread.
I've tried mailing the vw list but they haven't been able to help 
yet. If I get any useful info on the prob then i'll let u know.
here's the forward of my last email

From:             mamn97@dial.pipex.com
To:               clubgti@egroups.com
Date sent:        Sun, 14 Nov 1999 20:34:32 +0000
Priority:         normal
Subject:          [clubgti] advice anyone?

Hi,
I mailed the list last week about a worrying engine noise I 
discovered  - a copy of my message is below.
Since then I tried starting the car and discovered that the noise is
worse- just revving it causes it to make this nocking metallic noise
which appeared to come from the head. At the same thime the car
misfires and when it was last idling it stalled with a nasty clatter.
Anyway I expected to find some evidence of a broken valve spring when
I took the head off and found absolutely none. No marks on the
pistons/ valves. Stripped the head down and not one of the valves was
bent, no damage to the springs and no other signs of wear. The bores
looked nice and smooth from what i could see and the car has full vag
history and has done 140k with no other signs of wear. - someone told
me that the bottom end will never fail at this sort of mileage with
regular servicing. No warning lights have appeared though the head
gasket was replaced (by myself) only 5 weeks ago because of a
presurised cooling system. Anyone got any suggestions on what I should
try next? I have a bad feeling that when I take it to my mechanic he's
going to say he needs to see the engine running.  - Though looking at
the internals of the head with I was certain I'd spot something with a
noise like that. I'd appreciate any advice a nyone can give! Also, how
do the brakes work with engine off - ie/ is it safe to tow 3 miles
up/down some moderate hills to a garage? feel really pissed off!

Rob
broken 16v jetta
ps/ It couldn't be a cracked manifold could it? It's had a magnex on
for a couple of months. Reason I ask was u could hear a sort of
banging noise at high revs outside the car when u accelerated away,
and no such noise inside the car. assumed this was just rally-like
exhaust note (prob just paranoid now). I reckon it's a similar noise
now only at much lower revs and not under load.


heres my old message
taking a friend for a run with the car fully warmed up etc..went up a 
 very steep hill in 3rd gear keeping the revs up on the 7k - 7200 mark
at about 90 mph for maybe 7 seconds or so. got to the top and noticed
very worrying noise -ticking noise. At idle no noise but when reved to
~~3k this rattling/ticking noise which he says comes from 4th cylinder
on the head and from what he can tell not the block.

 a broken valve spring- what do u think? anyone else 
had this experience?
 The car has done 140k, mostly motorway miles, 
everything original, FVAGSH etc with no other signs of wear atall.
What makes this more frustrating is that only 4-5 weeks ago the head
gasket was replaced due to a pressurised coolant system which was
solved at great expense (90 quid just for the bolts!). After this the
timing was set to 6 degs but then because tthe performance felt poor
we fiddled around with the timing and adjusted it by hand and ear
untill it almost pinked underload. - was this a wise thing to do? For
the past 4 weeks it has felt incredibly quick and has been driven very
very hard frequently pushed over 7k rpm. It looks like the head is
going to have to come off now so what else should be done? - if it is
the spring that is. new springs and seals * 16! ? and a new bloody
gasket and bolts. How much r these likely to cost and where's the best
place to buy? 

Do these cars usually cost this much to run??
In the past 2 mnths the cars had:
new magnex exhaust as VAG wanted ££ for a standard system - 
£500 inc 
gasket and the welding required. head gasket/bolts + new hoses - prob
coming onto £140 for everything 4 new tyres £200 broken stud removed
from front hub - had to be disasembled and off and this bloody new
problem.