First time poster, but been a member of the forum for a while and gotten a ton of great info from you all. So let me begin by saying thanks to all on the forum.

So, I've been searching the forums but have only found partial answers to my engine knock question and nothing at this point regarding the second groaning noise so I hope someone has some guidance for me.

For several weeks my 2000 5-sp has made an engine knock sound so I checked the spark plugs (Champion single platinums with about 8k miles on them) and saw that the plug in cylinder #1 had some oil on the threads. It had a similar amount when the plugs were changed so clearly, this is an issue. After reading about 5.5's with the oil leak issue, I changed the PCV valve hoping it might be a universal fix. Unfortunately, it wasn't and the noise continues. It goes away at higher RPM's, but at idle (with or without the AC on) there is a pinging like a ball bearing is flying around. Based on what I've read it sound like a seal issue? Any ideas on the cost of this repair?

Noise two is really bizarre. When I first heard the noise I thought the groan came from the brakes as the fronts had some miles on them, and the noise went away when I pressed the brakes hard. By the time I got home, anything under 15 mph resulted in the noise and it got worse making slow turns or riding a curve at highway speeds. I had the wheel bearings checked (okay) changed all four pads and rotors and the noise seems better, but its still there. After a week, I finally caved, brought it to a local shop who told me that its not the brakes, bearing, axle or struts, but something coming from the passenger side of the engine and they can feel in the gearbox.

I don't notice any slippage in the clutch (despite 130k mostly highway miles) but is this a possibility? Any thoughts?

 

Have you tried changing the knock sensor? They don't throw codes.

 

But, found oil on the #1 spark plug threads and not on any other ones so I didn't think the knock sensor would be in play under this scenario.

 

I have the same problem, I discovered it today.
I had the AC on and suddenly smoke start coming from the vents so I turn the AC off and the smoke went away but the groaning noise is there.
The noise seems to come from the passenger side by the timing chain cover.
Now when I start the car there is this groan like metal to metal weird coming from the engine.
Right now I’m thinking the worst.
I also have the brake noise problem too.

Anybody can help?

Sorry Macelroyp i didnt mean to hijack your tread but it seem like we have a similar problem.

 

Re: the brake noise, I did some more digging around the forums and found that I had a sticky rear caliper. I got the caliper pin greased and its better, but I'll continue to watch it. It sounded so bad at speeds below 15 mph on a hot day that I thought it had to be something more significant.

As for the engine noise, I had a local guy my landlord recommended look at it and he said its likely an engine bearing or pin. Based on my mileage (135k) he said its probably not worth fixing unless the sound annoys me to no end and/or the gas mileage really starts to suffer. He mentioned that another max owner has had the issue for nearly 60k miles and hasn't had any issues outside of the noise. Since I pretty much just drive the car to work (on the LIE) I'm not pushing it hard like I did when it was new...

Good luck with yours. Let us know what you hear about the AC issue.

 

The knock is probably your gas choice. I always have knock when reg. unleaded is used. Premium is been my choice for 7 yrs knock free

 

i changed my front brakes and one front caliper had one of the pins seized so its was sticking regreased it and its good now. I also put in the 04 rotors with blehmco brackets.
I still have to do the rears seem like a caliper too.
About the ac i dont know yet i have no money to go to a mechanic.

Another think anybody that know please tell if this is normal.
If i have the car idle and open the oil cap the car seem to want to turn off.
Seem like it looses compresion. Is that normal?

 

I've run premium for the bulk of the car's life and exclusively for the past 12 months. I did drop to mid-grade when the prices jumped up a 18 months ago, but decided to bite the bullet and stick w/ premium. Oil in the #1 cylinder seems more likely.

 

im not a mechanic, but mine had a knock as well and is also a 2k. took it to 2 diff mechanics who told me it sounded like the bottom of the motor but not to worry cause the cost to just make it stop making that noise would'nt be worth it. just keep running it they both told me. it did'nt burn oil or have any hesitation or smoke etc etc. so i would'nt hear the knock i fixed it by putting a cattman cat back exhaust lol.

anyway alternator went for the second time again and after i replaced it, no more knock!! weird but guess it was the alternator. people on here even suggested that but because i had already replaced, figured it could'nt be, but was wrong. check alt, mine worked only intermitingly. you never know.

 

Need help! This ever happen to anyone i have 2k2 max and was replacing the spark plugs when i got to the final one on the rear bank and pulled the coil pack it was filled with oil...any one have any suggestions as to what the hell this might be from? i've talked to a few people and they have answers from...sounds like the rings are bad on the cylinder...to sounds like a fouled plug....and sounds like a bad gasket on the valve cover where the coilpack enters the spark plug access cylinder. Please help!

 

most likely spark plug tube seal which are located in the valve cover i had a knock thought it was the engine related mechanical the oil goes through the bad seal and on to the spark plug

 

but now i have further problems my coil packs are fudged i'm looking on the forum to find the best replacements and i went to autozone, autozone has them for 71.99 a piece...best price i've found so far, and the brand is duralast...don't know if i should get them or not what do you think?

 

What are the signs of a failing alternator, just today my car is acting funny with a groan sound from the passenger wheel side. I know it isn't the bearing, it gets louder at high speeds when I take my left of the accleartor and have the vehicle cruise?

When I turn my lights on, I can hardly read the clock, could it be the alternator.