I don't know what's going on but within the last few days a knocking noise has been coming from my front cylinder bank. The noise sounds like something is loose in my valvetrain. The sound is more like a light knocking sound than a tapping sound. When I was pinpointing where the sound is coming from, it sounded like the noise is coming from behind the front bank, in front of the manifold. When revving the engine, the sound speeds up.

The car is not throwing one code or running bad at all. I'm thinking maybe the valves need to be adjusted? I know they haven't been adjusted at all but should have been done about 20K miles back.

I'm thinking, "Great! Now I'm ready to install all of my mods, the engine is going to start acting up."

I made an appointment with the dealership to help diagnose the problem.

The car has 116000 miles on it.

 

I don't know much about all this, but could it be the fuel injectors? They kinda make a ticking noise on some cars. Also, I'd check the spark plugs and coils and pull the codes from ECU.

 

Use a long screwdriver and place it on the valve cover, injector, intake manifold, etc.

That should help you narrow down where the noise is comming from.

 

A light knocking sound that increases with engine rpm can be worn connecting rod journal bearings or a worn wristpin bushing. Your mileage is awfully low for that to be happening now, though, unless you haven't been changing your oil regularly or the engine has overheated.

 

My vote goes to the wristpin bushing cause he hears it near the top end.

Sorry to hear about that Deezo, hope it's not to serious.

 

The car has never overheated and the oil is changed every 5000k. I'll check my oil levels when I get off from work. I'm ready to take my valve cover off myself to save some damn money.

 

Problem is found but not solved.

First let me say if you don't have a stethoscope, buy one.

When scoping out the noise this is what I found:

Valvetrain = OK
Crankcase = OK
OEM Y-pipe connections = OK

Then I scope out the pullies and alternator ,

It's a 1 year old alternator from a local auto parts store giving me the knocking issue. It sounds like the armature is bouncing around inside its housing. For now on, I'm going with OEM parts for the engine.

 

*PHEW* At least its not a major engine problem! Be glad its just the stupid alternator. At least yours didn't burst in to flames... yet.. heheh =P


ZuM

 

I do feel a million times better now.

 

This is one of those rare times that you actually feel god about an ALT going bad I'd be a helluva releived too

DW

 

Even though I could be stranded with a bad alternator, its still better than having internal engine problems.

 

didnt get your free alternator from the recall?

 

I wasn't eligable.

 

What year is there a recall on the alternator?? I have a 96, is it elegible?

 

97

 

Glad to hear its just a dumb alternator and not something major!