very slight v6 engine rattle?

[jay.gray]

Hi,

I viewed a ZS v6 the other day, took it for a test drive etc, i noticed a very very slight, rattle, light ticking sound coming from the back of the engine. this was very light and hardly noticeable over the rest of the engine sound.
would this just have been the engine noise itself or is there anything more sinister?
on the power side of it, i'm used to a 1.8 140bhp, so obviously there would have been a lot more to the v6 which i experienced, and it sounded better coz my current motor sounds like a bag of spanners!!!!!!!

i'm just wondering what your thoughts are on this. thanks for your time on this matter.

[stamford]

It sounds like a sticky balance vis motor, very common or it may even be the purge valve. Best bet is to find someone local to you with a 180 and get them to show you around the engine and what to look for etc. These engines are generally pretty solid and seldom hear of one failing unless abused due to skipping service schedules etc.

[Nor]

I was thinking purge valve.

[LozMachine]

A light ticking at the rear could also be exhaust manfold

[RalphG]

Easy way to test whether it is the purge valve is to disconnect the plug from the top of the charcoal canister. If the clicking disappears then all is well.

[haGGard]

If it was only when the engine was cold, it could just be the rear bank knocking. Its common for it to 'knock' when cold.