I bought a 97 cav 2.2 not long ago. The engine is very quiet at idle and pretty quiet at cruise. But when I accelerate I can hear some loud noises under the hood. Sounds like it's detonating because the more I press the throttle, the harder the rattling/knocking. I hear the timing chain could cause that also.
But what I'm wondering is if it's extremely quiet at idle and at cruise but under acceleration it clacks could it still be the chain or it really detonation or a bad lifter ?
It does not sound like a rod bearing the knocking isn't deep enough for that and using bad rod bearings knock harder under deceleration or at cruise then under load.
Any ideas ? I want to know before changing stuff on the car, thanks !
Btw don't be scared to elaborate.
i have a 96' 2.2. and something like that and i was thinking along the same lines as you i first thought maybe a tune up was in order (just got the car) when i changed the plugs not only did i find they were the wrong plugs that were to long i looked like someone used a impact gun? and the tops of the pulgs were fk'ed up... but it sounds like you have something loose inside does the car lose power when your on the gas?
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No it's pretty powerful. However I find it lacks torque and hesistate a bit at low rpm. over 3K rpm the power is great.
Hmmm? its hard to say not hearing it myself ..its not a banging noise..hmm i'd start with the cheapest fix's first ..One try using higher octane i know gas prices are a bit@h right now but it might help.. there might be a 100 resons why. Just keep in mind AIR, FUEL, and SPARK one of these might be the problem. dirty injectors, fuel filter, wrong gap on plugs, dirty air filter, does your engine light come on? check these. its always good to check even if it's not the cause. if all the above is looked at and still have the problem try a compression check. hope it helps...
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I tried 94 octane. No difference. I'm thinking the injector might be clogged causing a lean condition. However, the car pulls hard (for a 2.2 lol ) usually lean condition make the engine weaker. The compression is definately good because it has good power no misfiring or anything of the sort apart from the slight bog at low rpm.
Things I will replace are Fuel filter spark plug and boots (they are due I think) and check the tension in the belt. Do you need to remove the serpentine belt to check this ?
Since the problem isn't at idle I can't check witha screwdriver where the sound is coming from. Even revving the car at idle the car won't make any unusual noise. only under load, really sounds like detonation. Could it still be the belt even if the noise only happens under load ?
OK. I may have found the problem.
I took out the spark plugs. They were all white (lean). They were not melted or damaged but all completely white. Which means that it runs lean. Once in a while there is a hard start condition. It always starts however.
Is this normal for a cavalier ? white spark plugs ?
It also means I have absolutely no problem with compression and that it isn't one injector misfiring etc...
Maybe I have a dying fuel pump ?
How do you check fuel pressure on those 2.2 engines ? I'm used to working on Dodge 2.2s and they have a tire type valve on the fuel rail to hook up the gauge.
i think ya might be jumping the gun on whats wrong! you replaced the plugs and gapped them have you checked you emission controls? hoses, have you had the obd2 scaned? my 2.2 have white plugs 2 weeks ago cause ..broken egr hose the egr sensor set off an code and the cpu ran in a "open loop mode" which made it run lean and fast.
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if plugs arent problem and has more than like 120k (use your best judgement here), try popping the valve cover, and check the rockers to see if they move at all. if there is alot of play, or even a little will cause noise, the lifters are bad/going. you cannot relash the valves because of the hydraulic lifters, all the adjustment is done by the lifters, so you will have to pop the head and pop in new lifters. like i said, use your best judgement here, i would know the noise if i heard it, my 94 project cavi did it and 4 were floating, and my dad's 96 sounds terrible (waiting to attack that thing - might blow up the way he cares for it) - listen by valve cover, use mechanic stethoscope or piece of rubber tube if you need, and if there is alot of noise coming from there id bet its that. i dunno why but the lifters in the ln2's seem to be terrible. mine is 02 with almost 60k and it has a little tap now and then.
Hellraiser and Lil Lightning
may also be clogged cat or cat about to go..
I've yet to be in a LN2 motored car that wasn't noisy at high rpm.
I kinda of have the same problem, my plugs were all white when I pulled them out. I do have a dtc55, which is lean fuel monitor. I'm not sure if its the fuel pressure regulator or the EGR valve. The light only comes on during higher speed 5th gear crusing, not when accelerating. How is the FPR tested?
