Bad engine knocking

hey peoples, I'm in need of a little help with the beetle I just bought.. today was the first time I've started it up and actually heard it running (The guy I bought it off "lost" the key.. i wonder why..) to find theres one hell of a knocking noise coming from engine, and it not subtle knocking, its actuallly a bit painful to the ears if the engines reving faster than idle. i've played around with the ignition timing but at no point does the knocking go away, only goes up in volume when I retard the timing and seems to get a bit quieter when advanced, but it never goes away.
So im hopeing theres something else that could be causing it other than the pistons getting bitch slapped or some other costly motor damage?
also, one bolt on the carb/manifold join is stripped, so it could be drawing air in through there?
Im not to fussed about it though, I only paid $100 for the thing 🙂

[Edited on 29-7-2004 by Chewy]

Check the tappet clearances. Should be 6 thou cold. Other than that it could be a pull down.

sound like some thing trying to get out then rebuild it

Doesn't sound like the tappets, way too loud, but ill check them anyway.. thanks.

it seized yesterday :P gonna pull it apart and seee what the prob was

[Edited on 2-8-2004 by Chewy]

big end bearing.

If you have a Bad Engine knocking,
It's better than Avon calling,
If problems persist,get a new motor or a big dog.