97 Sunfire GT Engine Knock

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kyle322

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Hey guys I'm new to the forums. I recently became the owner of a 97 Sunfire GT (2.4L Quad) and it has developed a knock from under the valve cover that matches the engine speed. I am hoping someone around here might be able to help diagnose.

Here is a recording http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRY2rO3EjPg.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
start by puling off the valve cover and looking for something that is showing signs of wear
 
i would have to agree with pulling off the cover and checking for worn down parts. it sounds kinda like an off valve or lazy lifter. is it going through any oil?
 
Yea I had an oil change done on it (not by me) 2 weeks ago when I had my inspection done and when I checked it the other day I was missing a quart. I am not 100% sure whether I burnt all of that or if the mechanic just skimped. But there is certainly some oil spots around the oil pan. I am going to check it again when I get home and see how much is missing.
I will be pulling it apart on Sunday to take a look. I have never really been under there before, so I will be working very slowly and carefully armed with my Haynes repair manual and any advice you folks can provide. I figure it's about time I learn anyway.
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how many miles on the engine?
 
at that mileage depending upon how original owners did oil changes something may have worn out. Possibly timing chain related, tensioner etc.
 
Yea I was hoping it's just the tensioner, that seems not too crazy to replace from looking at the manual. Does it sound like it could be that? I guess I will just have to open up and take a look. I am not very experienced but I will go slowly and read the manual very carefully. I will most likely be back with more questions and pictures of what it looks like inside there. Any advice beyond what's in the haynes manual to avoid doing catastrophic damage in the process?
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In that area of the engine the most important thing is to not mess up how the timing chain and gears are installed with respect to one another. I'm sure the book covers that.
 
Yes it does. Thanks for all the replies so far. I will be back on Sunday when I have time to pull it apart.
 
separate issue, a little oil leak wont cause you knock sound
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OK. Well I guess I will have to replace those gaskets after I remove the covers anyway. I didn't end up getting a whole lot of time to look at it today. I have heard some suggestions of adding Marvel Miracle Oil to the oil and gas, as well as running premium gas through it to try and unstick whatever is stuck. Do you think there is any merit to trying that or should I just leave it until I have more time to mess with it.
 
OK. Well I guess I will have to replace those gaskets after I remove the covers anyway. I didn't end up getting a whole lot of time to look at it today. I have heard some suggestions of adding Marvel Miracle Oil to the oil and gas, as well as running premium gas through it to try and unstick whatever is stuck. Do you think there is any merit to trying that or should I just leave it until I have more time to mess with it.
 
sounds more like a rod knock to me. pull the oil pan off and check the connecting rods and bearings for ANY slop up and down. if you have spun a rod bearing the bearing will be paper thin
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hey im new to this site as well. i have a 96 sunfire gt and im having the same issues, im mechanically inclined and i cant figure this knock out, my car has the same sounds...coming from the top end and everything is tight, ive crawled under the car while the car is running and had someone else rev the car up and no sounds are coming from the bottom....so i guess i can say im stumped...can anyone help?
 
Take a rubber hose hold one end to your ear the other end to the timing chain cover. If that's the source of your noise time for a chain and tensioner repair.
 
i went and bought a new motor, i was thinking about doing a head job to it but i talked to a few people and they said its just as easy and less expensive to just replace the motor, let u guys know how i make out sunday after its done
 
sorry to revive an old topic but im having the same issues on my 1996 2.4l loud knocking started 2 days ago, replaced the spark plugs and wire boots as they were well worn out but knocking still persists.

i have oil in the same spots as the image above and the same sounds as post #1 if not even louder then his. i have the car on stands and using a long screwdriver i put my ear on the handle and touch various spots on the motor from underneath the car i cant find a clear spot of the noise however on the top side i listen to the timing chain cover and can hear the hissing and a slight echo of the knock. when i probe over plug#1 location on the cover i can hear the knock clear as day, when i move down to 2,3,4 it sounds similiar to the hissing echo in the timing case.

if i remove the valve covers what kind of wear am i looking for? if its a rod and i remove the oil pan what is it im looking for?

i don't want to swap motors as i had a 2.2l and scraped it for the 2.4l dohc convertible that was in much better shape, the car is clean and runs great, i have no rough idle or hesitation in the acceleration just a loud knock that seems to die down once i get into the 3rd gear of the tranny or over 60km
 
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