The engine in my bug (1500) sounds like its full of rocks . At idle it knocks and carries on but the noise doesn't really get any worse as the revs rise. This only began early this week as a slight rattling noise. Car still goes fine.

I checked the crank pulley and tightened it but the noise is still there. Checked oil, belt,etc.

Any Ideas where I should start looking first (apart from the parts ads for another motor)

try changing the oil and take out the screen, check for anything that may be visible.
possibly loose flywheel im not sure???

I thought of the flywheel. Are there any easy ways to tell if it is loose. I'll drain the oil this weekend and check it out. It was due for an oil change and tune anyway.

If it doesnt change with revs it wont be the flywheel

In fact - if it doesnt change with revs it knocks most motor things out

Something hitting the exhaust???

It sounds like its coming from around the distributor/ fuel pump part of the motor. I'll drive it tomorrow to my mechanic and see what he thinks and then decide what to do.

look here

http://home.arcor.de/silke.fokken/sounds/ 

there is alot of help on engine sounds

sounds like oil pump mite have picked up a hump of metal as before check oil and straner
good luck

Thanks guys. I'll drain the oil this weekend and see what is in there. I thought the oil pump might be a cause as the noise seems to be centered around that part of the engine. The oil pressure appears to be fine however.