Last week my engine (i'm guessing as its around the front end) developed a worrying tapping, ticking sound when under load :thumbdwn: - over half throtle from 2500 rpm upwards it makes this noise. Got it booked in for Friday but any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

P.S Runs perfectly normal at tickover and reving under no load sounds normal and its a 2004 Vrs.

It's actually more of a knocking sound which speeds up in relation to engine RPM

big ends??? possibly head gasket??

Suspect head gasket ok - water and oil good, no smoke ect. Big ends were my first thought but after only 20,000 miles it beter not be :eek:. Has always been driven considerably from cold ect.

water and oil mixing isn't allways the only symptom of a blown head gasket... if the gasket has blown between cylinders (normally the centre two) it makes a horrible banging sound becuase the pressure of the exhaust gas in one cylinder gets forced through to the other cylinder

A compression test could possibly confirm a the need for head gasket replacement, also signs of Mayonaise on the underside of the oil cap. Thats all i can immediatly think of to easily check without actually stripping the engine down.

Just to update this thread incase anyone has a similar experience. Ended up being the join between the turbo and the manifold - the bolts had come loose :eek: , anyway all fixed and made up that it wasn't more serious

Really didn't sound like a pressure leak but im glad it wasn't big end bearings - cheers for the sugestions tho guys.