Knocking problem

[waynester]

My wifes 1.4 Zetec Focus is making a rapid knocking sound. It's coming from the top left end of the engine, from the camshaft pulleys. It sounds like something hitting the outer plastic cover. (That covers the pulleys)
I started to remove the cover, but it's situated behind the belts and pulleys..and goes all the way down. If i pull the top of this plastic cover, i can reduce the knocking noise??
The car has done 65,000 miles. Any ideas...what's knackered etc...Could it just be the belt.........or cams too??
Thanks for any help...

[mic]

Sounds like the belt may be loose. I should get it checked ASAP.

[nighthawk]

Yup, it does sound like a loose camshaft drive belt making contact with the upper timing cover.

Best get it checked out before it gets loose enough to jump a tooth.

[waynester]

Thanks, that's what i thought.
Problem now is getting it to a garage, i just don't dare start/drive it..?

[nighthawk]

You've already run the engine enough to hear the noise and revved it enough to pin point it as being from the cambelt cover, so whats wrong with taking a gentle drive down to the dealer?

As long as you don't subject the engine to full revs and on and off type throttle it should be fine, you might even find the noise dies down as the engine warms up.