Really loud banging noise from S40 engine

getcover

I've searched for info on this, but couldn't find any, but apologies if there is info on this on here already.
2 weeks ago, I was on holiday in Ireland, and came out one morning and the car was as dead asa a doornail. I got it jump started and it was okish, (it kept cutting out) for a few days, then it died again. I got it jump started on the day I was going home, and as soon as I got home booked it in for a service. Got the service last week, new battery, some new fuses, some cleaning of the spark plugs, cost me €340.

Seemed to be ok, but it still kep cutting out. I was going to ring the mechanic about this, but as I was up the walls I forgot about it. Anyway, left work last night, and this really weird and loud banging noise started up. I had to go somewhere before I went home, so went there, and about an hour and a half later headed for home. Started her up, and not a sound from the engine, ran fine.
Got up this morning to drive to Dublin (I live in Cork), and as soon as I moved the car, the same banging sound but even louder. I parked immediately and ran for the train.
Has anybody come across a really loud banging noise in their S40 like this before? I have it two years, it's got a full service history, and I spent €780 on a service 6 months ago. It's a 1.8i, early 2001 model, and never had any trouble with it before the battery problem.

Any info on possible problem and/or cost to fix?

Thanks a lot.

Esel

Free bump from page 3.

Wossack

hows the oil level?

mecanoman

Wossack wrote: »

hows the oil level?

That and check in around the engine area, underneath the engine too.

Any warning lights coming up either?

getcover

mecanoman wrote: »

That and check in around the engine area, underneath the engine too.

Any warning lights coming up either?

I checked around the engine, nothiong, and as part of the service, there was 4 litres of oil put in last week, and no warning lights at all. Going to bring it to a mechanic in the morning, I'm just worried that I'm going to be hit with a sizeable bill for this.
I've got really good advice on here before, so just thought I'd try for info here before I go to the garage.

Wossack

dont check the bill for your oil level!

before you drive it _anywhere_ dip it yourself

getcover

Wossack wrote: »

dont check the bill for your oil level!

before you drive it _anywhere_ dip it yourself

I did check, the oil level is fine.

Wossack

getcover wrote: »

I did check, the oil level is fine.

good to hear, I immediately thought oil starved/siezing engine..

Until you get it to a mechanic, I'd find alternative transport, and to avoid driving as it may compound the problem

doesnt sound good though, Im going to hazard a guess and suggest engine bearings. Definitely no warning lights, even if they're on for a short time on start up and disappear after a few mins (oil presure light specifically)

getcover

Wossack wrote: »

good to hear, I immediately thought oil starved/siezing engine..

Until you get it to a mechanic, I'd find alternative transport, and to avoid driving as it may compound the problem

doesnt sound good though, Im going to hazard a guess and suggest engine bearings. Definitely no warning lights, even if they're on for a short time on start up and disappear after a few mins (oil presure light specifically)

No warning lights, beyond the usual lights that come on at ignition and then go off.
I'll just get it to the mechanic and hope for the best.

If it is engine bearings, would that be expensive to fix?

mecanoman

Engine bearing fix, would be expensive, engine out job really.
Hope its not it. Let us know how you get on.

Henry Ford III

Could be a few things. Maybe a broken engine or gearbox mount?

smash

Have you had a look at the timing belt to see if it's on straight?

Anan1

Might be a broken cat, or even a loose heatshield if you're lucky. There's really no way to tell without examining it.

mpv

hi by any chance is it a gdi engine which are mitsubishi if so these had fault with hydraulic tappets,the engine would have a loud rattling tapping sound more than banging though if this is noise you have id live with it as it is an expensive repair head off etc etc.

Mech1

front anti roll bar mounts? is noise from engine or body?

getcover

Turned out to be some sort of a shield under the engine was loose. Mechanic fixed it quickly, and didn't even charge me for it.
However, he did find that the shock absorbers and mounts on the front are "weak"and needed to be changed.
Getting it done next week, €475 approx.

Thanks for all the help...

pajero12

getcover wrote: »

Turned out to be some sort of a shield under the engine was loose. Mechanic fixed it quickly, and didn't even charge me for it.
However, he did find that the shock absorbers and mounts on the front are "weak"and needed to be changed.
Getting it done next week, €475 approx.

Thanks for all the help...

Get a second opinion before you spend that kind of money! How did he notice these when he serviced it??

itarumaa

getcover wrote: »

Turned out to be some sort of a shield under the engine was loose. Mechanic fixed it quickly, and didn't even charge me for it.
However, he did find that the shock absorbers and mounts on the front are "weak"and needed to be changed.
Getting it done next week, €475 approx.

Thanks for all the help...

Just for example, 2 front shocks for Volvo S40 1998 2l petrol were 220e including work.

VolvoMan

steve06 wrote: »

Have you had a look at the timing belt to see if it's on straight?

What sort of a question is that