Occational Rattling After Changing Seals

[Bovien 6]

Changed left cam seal today. To get the seal out without scraping it out with a screwdriver, we removed the cam cover and the "top half" of the left cam bearing (is there a bearing in there?) to easily poke it out.

I also changed gaskets on the sump and inside part of the spacer.

Now, when driving, the engine rattles loudly occasionally. It follows the revs and is noticeable at idle as well. Over a 20 mile drive it started off sounding normally and then the sound came and disappeared again. On the second drive later today, it started fine but came after a few miles. After a short stop, all was well again.

 

Now; can it be down to removing the top part of the bearing, and if so, how do I fix/align it again?

 

Any other thoughts?

 

Thanks

[welshpug 1,621]

did you have the crank pulley off?

[Bovien 6]

Yes, I think. That specific part of the job was handled by someone else though. What are you thinking?

Edited November 3, 2012 by Bovien

[welshpug 1,621]

check the crank pulley is still tight enough and check the belt isn't rattling against anything.

[Bovien 6]

Will do. I'm fairly certain that the sound is internal and it also sounds more "clunk"-ing than a rattle from belt or pulley. Also more precise as a sound per rev than the mor random rattle I' guessing the pulley would give

[Bovien 6]

Just found out, that when it happens, a quick restart of the engine fixes it... Any chance that I was right regarding the cam?