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need help. scary engine noise.

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  • Werner R.
    Expired
    • March 3, 2008
    • 184

    need help. scary engine noise.

    after 6 happy years i finally heard a scary engine noise. this seems to come from the front part of the engine. it came on gradually while doing moderate back road driving [first drive after i had just changed the oil and filter]. sounds torque related [gets louder under acceleration]; is not related to transmission [occurs in the garage if i rev it]. my wife says it sounds like an rpm related "clicking". to my ear it is not tinny like the clicking of excessive valve lash. to me it is lower pitch and has a soft bongo drum like sound. it is a solid lifter BB. i have a mechanic stethoscope, but have never used it. do i touch the point to the metal and listen to localize the noise. should i pull the intake and check out the lifters; pull the oil pan and look at the rods etc. i am stumped on where to start. if anything, it is coming from the front passenger side. i do use an electric fuel pump. i have the car in the country and i suppose i can try to find a mechanic to come over and listen to it, or i could flat bed it somewhere, but i would like to tackle this one myself as far as possible. can anyone help?? i would appreciate any comments.
    werner
  • Clem Z.
    Expired
    • January 1, 2006
    • 9427

    #2
    Re: need help. scary engine noise.

    if the frequency is at engine speed then it is rotating assy related or if it is at half engine speed it is cam shaft related. check with the stethoscope by placing the metal probe against different parts of the engine till you find the loudest sound. check against the timing gear cover for a loose timing chain.

    Comment

    • Clem Z.
      Expired
      • January 1, 2006
      • 9427

      #3
      Re: need help. scary engine noise.

      if the frequency is at engine speed then it is rotating assy related or if it is at half engine speed it is cam shaft related. check with the stethoscope by placing the metal probe against different parts of the engine till you find the loudest sound. check against the timing gear cover for a loose timing chain.

      Comment

      • Werner R.
        Expired
        • March 3, 2008
        • 184

        #4
        Re: need help. scary engine noise.

        clem
        this may seem basic, but how can i tell the difference between an engine speed sound and half speed sound? is there some reference point? is there somewhere i can set the stethoscope to hear a half speed sound?? i can say that if i had to guess, i'd say it was half speed, because when i was at 2,800 rpm i was able to hear the separate sounds with a distinct gap in between. any thoughts??
        werner

        Comment

        • Werner R.
          Expired
          • March 3, 2008
          • 184

          #5
          Re: need help. scary engine noise.

          clem
          this may seem basic, but how can i tell the difference between an engine speed sound and half speed sound? is there some reference point? is there somewhere i can set the stethoscope to hear a half speed sound?? i can say that if i had to guess, i'd say it was half speed, because when i was at 2,800 rpm i was able to hear the separate sounds with a distinct gap in between. any thoughts??
          werner

          Comment

          • Roy B.
            Expired
            • February 1, 1975
            • 7044

            #6
            Re: need help. scary engine noise.

            Bring the rpm up till you hear the sound and hold it there , then one by one pull a plug wire off at the plug or dist cap . If the sound goes away could be a rod , or if the sound is still there could be carbon build up on the top of the piston. Let use know if you do this.

            Comment

            • Roy B.
              Expired
              • February 1, 1975
              • 7044

              #7
              Re: need help. scary engine noise.

              Bring the rpm up till you hear the sound and hold it there , then one by one pull a plug wire off at the plug or dist cap . If the sound goes away could be a rod , or if the sound is still there could be carbon build up on the top of the piston. Let use know if you do this.

              Comment

              • Tracy C.
                Expired
                • July 31, 2003
                • 2739

                #8
                Timing light frequency equals half engine speed *NM*

                Comment

                • Tracy C.
                  Expired
                  • July 31, 2003
                  • 2739

                  #9
                  Timing light frequency equals half engine speed *NM*

                  Comment

                  • Chuck R.
                    Expired
                    • April 30, 1999
                    • 1434

                    #10
                    Re: need help. scary engine noise.

                    Hi Werner,

                    Has the power plant lost power or acting strange in any way since the noise started?

                    If it started all of a sudden without provocation, I would be hoping that it was either timing chain or water pump related. Plugged hydralic lifters can sound pretty scary too.

                    Try everywhere you can safely touch with the probe starting with the water pump, then the valve covers, intake, sides of the block, ending up at the oil pan. Don't rule out the bellhousing either

                    When you get close to the noise, you'll know it.

                    I hope it's a quick fix whatever it is Werner,

                    Chuck

                    Comment

                    • Chuck R.
                      Expired
                      • April 30, 1999
                      • 1434

                      #11
                      Re: need help. scary engine noise.

                      Hi Werner,

                      Has the power plant lost power or acting strange in any way since the noise started?

                      If it started all of a sudden without provocation, I would be hoping that it was either timing chain or water pump related. Plugged hydralic lifters can sound pretty scary too.

                      Try everywhere you can safely touch with the probe starting with the water pump, then the valve covers, intake, sides of the block, ending up at the oil pan. Don't rule out the bellhousing either

                      When you get close to the noise, you'll know it.

                      I hope it's a quick fix whatever it is Werner,

                      Chuck

                      Comment

                      • Werner R.
                        Expired
                        • March 3, 2008
                        • 184

                        #12
                        Re: need help. scary engine noise.

                        thank you one and all for the excellent suggestions. i will try them out this weekend and hope for the best. will post a followup if i learn anything specific. i cannot say that i lost any power when the noise started, but i was 15 miles from the farm on july 5 at 9 in the morning, so i very slowly and gingerly limped home not testing power loss at all. but i didn't notice any change. hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th.
                        best
                        werner
                        ps sitting in the office and waiting to check this out is killing me!!!!!!!!!!

                        Comment

                        • Werner R.
                          Expired
                          • March 3, 2008
                          • 184

                          #13
                          Re: need help. scary engine noise.

                          thank you one and all for the excellent suggestions. i will try them out this weekend and hope for the best. will post a followup if i learn anything specific. i cannot say that i lost any power when the noise started, but i was 15 miles from the farm on july 5 at 9 in the morning, so i very slowly and gingerly limped home not testing power loss at all. but i didn't notice any change. hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th.
                          best
                          werner
                          ps sitting in the office and waiting to check this out is killing me!!!!!!!!!!

                          Comment

                          • Chuck R.
                            Expired
                            • April 30, 1999
                            • 1434

                            #14
                            Re: Yeah I missed on the damed Lotto again ! *NM*

                            Comment

                            • Chuck R.
                              Expired
                              • April 30, 1999
                              • 1434

                              #15
                              Re: Yeah I missed on the damed Lotto again ! *NM*

                              Comment

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