i have a 2000 sunfire 2.2 3 speed. The engine makes a constant ticking sound- doesnt really sound like spun bearing, sounds more like valvetrain. Sound seems to be coming from the passenger side of the head- #1 cylinder. Now it gets a little weirder. When i attempt to rev the engine, when i hit about 2500 rpm, it starts to surge like its bouncing off the rev limiter, and it will not rev past about 4000 even with the pedal to the floor. Now it gets really weird. If you rev (attempt to rev) the car up, it starts pumping out what i would describe as VERY BLUE smoke. Not white like oil or black like too much fuel, but Blue, litterally blue. Ive never seen or heard of anything like it. I plan on cracking into the engine here soon, but i was just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this. thanks in advance.
It wont go past 4k because you are probably flooring it out of gear. Triggering the injector cutouts.
White smoke is typically coolant burning. Blue is oil.
Rebuild the engine.
Valve stem seals perhaps? When driving in gear, does it rev past 4k?
pulled off the valve cover today, and #1 intake valve rocker has a LOT of play (up and down). Definitely where the noise was coming from. looks as if the smoking is unrelated, and is probably just worn rings and/ or valve seals. Not real worried about it. Drove my old 2.2 cavalier for over a year with worn rings (cylinder bores still look like new). Rocker arm mount was tight, and rocker had no play in the body. Checked the pushrod for straightness, perfect. valvespring looks fine. That leaves the lifter. Fugure its probably collapsed. Does anyone have any experience with these valvetrains, and what is the probability of the camshaft being damaged?.
Nick, to answer your question, i just bought the car, paid 800 for it cause it was making this noise. Never put in in gear more than to just move it around the driveway. I did not know that they had a 4000 rev limit in park or neutral, which is how i was reving it. Im confident now that the only thing really wrong is the collapsed lifter.
