. The chonk chonk noise is not like a wheel bearing continuously humming or even rumbling, it's quite distinct chonk chonk, as if of a blister in the tyre.

Actually this could be a simple one - has the car been stood for a while? If so the disc can rust but not the bit shielded by the brake pads. This can cause a noise on every wheel revolution. I remember this when I drove my Father in Law's car every few weeks to keep it running whilst he was away on an extended holiday. This made a noise - I cleared by hard operating the foot brake for a while. Just a thought..

Where is the oil leak from? - make sure it's not contaminating the cam belt.

Re vibrations driving along - check engine/gearbox mounts. On my old Octavia I had a mount fail between chassis & gearbox that caused a funny noise / vibration in motion - not obvious on inspection but replacement solved the issue.

My mention of DMF related to the vibration symptom under load - but start with the easier / cheaper potential problems. Still check drive shafts though.

On a positive note - this sounds as though it's the good Isuzu engine . Others will confirm.

Edited by Big John on 18/12/2022 at 22:58

I'm not trying to insult anyone.

As I said, the chonk chonk could well be the track rod end seeing as you know it's worn.

The grinding and engine noise could both be the DMF.

My point was that a van that old with that many miles is bound to be knackered so I wouldn't get to obsessed with making it perfect. If it's got an MOT and it drives, all good surely

I am having the timing belt done since it appears to be 25k miles and one year overdue.

After having phoned around, £355 was cheapest, to be done tomorrow.

From Vauxhall, until 2010 change timing belt every 6 years (or 60,000 miles). After 2011, 10 years (or 60,000 miles). I have no idea why there's such an expensive difference.

I am having the timing belt done since it appears to be 25k miles and one year overdue. After having phoned around, £355 was cheapest, to be done tomorrow.

That may be one reason why the van was for sale ? That price seems very reasonable.

The wretched thing sounds like a Lancaster bomber in a terminal dive. Wob wob wob wob wob, maybe one wob every wheel revolution, does not seem to be affected by gentle braking. I did take a sound recording. Anyway, that's probably the next thing I'll look at.

Road tax is bloomin' expensive, too. Grr!

Hopefully I will get it back tomorrow, so I can look then. At least the timing belt being fixed will help my peace of mind, although it's hurt my wallet. I have been in a bit of a state about parhaps having a total loss.

The sound recording I took on my 'phone reminds me of the Ipcress File brainwashing sound. Listening to it again, the wob wob wob wob sound is equally apparent at low speeds and higher (50MPH+) ones, just the frequency changes..

This sounds like a noise relating to the rotational speed of the wheels so hopefully should be fairly obvious - can we presume the wob wob wob noise doesn't change if you change gear? at the same speed that is?

It's certainly related to wheel speed, not engine speed. It's quite obvious even at low speed. I don't *think* the loudness changes with speed, but wind noise and other noise tends to slightly drown it out, although it's certainly still audible. I wish I could put the recording I made somewhere (careful!), but no luck so far.

Not sure about the other worry - rumbling coa*** vibration under acceleration.

I'll get the bus in to town tomorrow, assuming they've done the timing belt, then have a better look.

Does sound like a wheel bearing, Jack it up and have a feel for any play.

I wouldn't be surprised if the "wob wob wob" and vibration under acceleration are related in some way and probably at the front of the vehicle

I don't know why the auto-moderator start out the word that sounds nearly the same as "course".

Anyway, sndup.net/qq2p and ignore the grunting and groaning from me (having been on a bicycle that most certainly does not fit, with quite painful results to my underneath). It was a 4 mile or so trip to the garage, between 0MPH and 50MPH from time to time. Try time around 4:30 in. Lots of wind noise, and the heater was blowing too, but the wob wob noise can be heard from time to time.

Edited by RJY on 19/12/2022 at 22:06

Well. It needs a NSF wheel bearing fairly rapidly! I might be able to do that. Also a camshaft sensor. Might try cleaning that first, not sure whether that will make any difference.

Water pump "will need changing soon"

I would have thought it a good idea to get the water pump changed the same time as the cambelt.

I thought that was standard procedure, unless you are a real penny pincher ?

You’ll need a hydraulic press to do the wheel bearing . Cleaning the cam sensor is a waste of time. I would have thought it a good idea to get the water pump changed the same time as the cambelt

I've got a press. I haven't got a nice electric impact wrench though, or a screw-type ball joint splitter though

Yes, it appears cleaning the cam sensor s a waste of time.

The water pump I will do some time fairly soon. I need to do the wheel bearing though, I think the rest can wait ubtil after Christmas.

I've heard odd sounds when a tyre gets near to the legal limit or has worn oddly.

We had, for around 13 years, a Citroen BX estate.

When it made a wob-wob-wob noise it was from the rear and was tyre related.

It hardly wore the rear treads but would develop a 'bubble' on the running surface of the tyre.

Has the OP checked the treads carefully?

Even if you have to get someone to help at least it's not a huge job so shouldn't be too expensive.

I had hoped that MPD would have a bearing in stock. It looks as if they may have one "after Christmas". H********, a couple of days. I think I'm off the road for Christmas, bother, said he, extremely politely. That has certain ramifications. :( Doesn't look as though I can get one tomorrow by 11 a.m. at all, although I suppose I could try a couple of motor factors just in case. Grim.

That's a bit embarrassing! I work For MPD, if we haven't got it it's normally next day....

Well, I called the branch this morning, and a very helpful chap said he'd got a similar kit on the shelf (same bearing) for my vehicle (IRO £20 ISTR but my receipt is still in the van and I am tired and cream crackered and going to bed happier than I have been for a week or so), so I went and got it (and a screw type ball joint separator). With a few odds and ends extra, the job's done. If anyone wants "blow by blow" I can post the procedure.

Edited by RJY on 22/12/2022 at 01:11