18RC on death row?

**Aphex** · 08-09-2009, 07:06 PM

The 18rc in my ra28 has had a rattle that has been getting progressively louder over the past month.
I am looking for some help to diagnose what it could be.
It only starts to rattle when it is warm. It's intermittent, sometimes it will rattle when idling, and then not at all when accelerating. It seems to be most prevalent when the accelerator is released.
About 2 months ago I flushed the engine out and changed the oil and oil filter. Oil level and colour is still good, and i put good penrite oil in as well.
Any ideas

cheers

**crowncustom** · 08-09-2009, 07:56 PM

Possibility that it has a gudgeon pin gone or the timing chain is on its way out.
Cheers Brett.

**M.J.H** · 08-09-2009, 08:00 PM

if it is a rattle then +1 for the timing chains.
Not hard to do but can run for a while with shagged chains and guides.

or use this time to save up for an RG conversion.

**SilverRA23** · 09-09-2009, 11:04 AM

Before I even opened the thread I was guessing you would have a disturbing rattle. More often that not its your timing chain in an 18RC

**river** · 09-09-2009, 04:28 PM

Hi,

Despite the scorn layed upon the 18R-C, rest assured it is Toyota's version of the Holden 202 engine, where it will keep going no matter how much noise, rattle, water and oil leaks.

It is a "never say die" engine. Sure, it will sound nasty, but it will keep on trucking.

And yes, sounds like the timing chain. It's about the only thing that kills them... after a long long time of complaining.

seeyuzz
river

**Aphex** · 16-09-2009, 03:55 PM

Thanks for the help guys.
I've got little in the way of funds so I'm hoping to change the timing chain myself. Has anyone changed one of these before? (I have little experience with engines though I do have the Haines manual for it). I'm studying engineering at uni and would love to fix it myself to get some hands on experience.

How long did it take you and how much did parts set you back?
I heard somewhere that the timing chain from a one of the holden v8s is the same used for the 18RC... is this true and is anyone able to give me a part number?
cheers