Clio 1.8 16v strange noise

[Ricardo]

Hi All,

I'm new around here, hope I post this thread in the wright section.
So here's the thing.
The engine makes a very strange noise which seems to come form the right (around the gearbox area) or the back of the engine (where the starter is located).
Initially I thought it was the timing belt and pulleys, but I changed them and this awful sound is still present.

In this first video, the awful sound seems to amplify, when I move my phone slightly to the left:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxPmt86cvVU&lc=z12nunp4asamc5na304cgf3welj3jtjap4g

In the second video, you can hear this awful sound cutting off when the engine is completely turned off:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3AcBdYAHhk&feature=youtu.be

Does anyone have any idea of what could be the cause for this strange noise?

[Andy Dossor]

first I thought water pump / alternator .. have you started it with fan belt removed ,that would rule out those 2.
Does it make the same noise with the clutch pressed?

[Ricardo]

Yes, the guys that I went to, started it without the fan and alternator belt and the noise is still present.
And yes, I pressed the clutch, but nothing, the noise is still there :(.

[Ricardo]

Update: The noise seems to start gradually, when the engine is heating up

[manxseven]

Um, I would take off the air filter, looks like a k&n, it may be that which is vibrating.

[Ricardo]

Don't think is the air filter, because after I installed the 1.8 16v engine in the car (the car is a track car project, it was an 1.2 mk1 clio) I ran about 2 weeks (short mileage, here and there...max 50 miles) with the throttle body in open air, without any air filter and the noise was present then also.

[16v_paddy]

Sounds to me like the noise is being caused by something rotating tbh