Hi. I was wondering if anyone can help me. My 323 runs really well but one day there was a sound coming from the engine like a helicopter. What could be the problem? I just filled the coolant and was totally empty when I looked at it.

 

Is the sound constant or just when you start it up then goes away after a few min.? What was empty the radiator itself or the overflow bottle?

 

Also check your exhaust for white smoke, and get your cylinder compressions checked. You may have blown a gasket.

 

Sound is constant right from when you start it. The overflow bottle was empty. Thanks for the info. Are blown head gaskets usually expensive to get fixed?

 

Im thinking that you might have a lifter that has colapsed. This would cause a loud ticking noise from the top of the motor. Is that what you here?

 

you know if it sounds like a helicopter than it is probably a bad tensioner on the timing belt the y go bad and it makes a chatering sound kind of like a chopper good luck

 

Oh, what about the white smoke? Wet plugs? Compression seems OK? Any pressure pulses you can feel when you cover the rad filler with your hand? (NOT with the engine hot please!). Where the hell is that water going? If it's not dripping out of the bottom of the engine or rad, or being peed out of the exhaust, its got to be still there, right?
Well, if your water pump bearing or gasket went, a timing belt running behind a timing belt cover filled with half a rad worth or so of water would probably make a really odd sound, eh? Like SCHWOOM, SCHWOON, eh?
Better check your dipstick too, you could have an oil pan with more water than oil in it. If you drive around with a sump load of water you will soon destroy you engine.