I have a '98 Z24 with the 2.4L. When I'm in drive and stopped there is a metallic tapping sound coming from the front of the car. It seems to be coming from under the engine, but I am not sure what it is. I've looked under the car to see if anything is loose and can't find anything. Anybody else ever encounter this?

does the noise go away when the a/c is turned on?...if so...it your a/c compressor clutch and pulley are rattling against each other

i have the same damn sound but mine is coming from the gas tank

I've got that sound but it's only because I haven't found the time to replace my timing chain damper that stupid plastic peice of @!#$...


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'96 Cavalier Good ol' Pushrod 2.2
-24X,000 miles on factory build
-Some oil loss between changes, me thinks it be rings.

It makes no difference if the AC is on or off. It sounds like it's coming from under the engine.

Does it speed up with revvs or does it stay constant. Does it happen only in neutral or does it happen in drive. When at idle does it sound like it's happening at about 4-8 times a second or faster than that? Is it loud or barely audible. If you load the engine by pressing the gas while in drive and the brake is depressed does the sound get louder? In neutral does the sound get louder, quieter, or get drowned out by engine sound as it revvs higher...




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'96 Cavalier Good ol' Pushrod 2.2
-24X,000 miles on factory build
-Some oil loss between changes, me thinks it be rings.

It stays about constant and it now happens all of the time when I'm stopped. It does seem to 4-8 times a second and it's not loud, it's just there constant. I've tried loading the engine and it makes no difference in the speed of the tapping

If it stays about constant it's valvetrain noise. Probably a hydraulic lifter is stuck(if your engine even uses those) top off your oil with some marvels mystery oil. That stuff is about the only thing I know of that unsticks them. If the car doesn't have hydraulic lifters then you have an oil problem in your valvatrain and the mystery oil may help clean up whatever is there. Plus it smells like mint...lol


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'96 Cavalier Good ol' Pushrod 2.2
-24X,000 miles on factory build
-Some oil loss between changes, me thinks it be rings.

The engine itself runs fine. No shaking or anything like that. It just sounds like a marble is bouncing up and down in the bottom of the engine compartment. It only makes this sound when I am stopped.

Does the 2.4 use a chain or belt? If it's a chain your damper could be worn making it slap around all loud but nothing to worry about.


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'96 Cavalier Good ol' Pushrod 2.2
-24X,000 miles on factory build
-Some oil loss between changes, me thinks it be rings.

I took it to the dealer and they found a plastic bag stuck underneath. It wasn't visible from the top or from the underneath the car. They removed it and now everything is great.

You got lucky. Now, I just noticed mine is tapping. Mine is an 02 with the 2.2L non-eco. It has 99,560 miles now. Just changed the oil this last weekend. The noise is coming from the top. My theory is that there is no oil on top, since these dumbasses decided to make the oil filler pour straight to the pan. Anyone else had this problem with the 2.2L? Thinking about taking the valve cover off and using some Duralube.


2002 Pontiac Sunfire SE
2.2L Auto, Bone Stock