Well, my 2.2L cavalier with 168,000 sounds like a diesel... I had some slight ticking and had to get into a small hole so I floored it and now the car is ticking/rattling bad. I "know" what the problem is but dont know what all to replace.

I pulled the valve cover off and started it up... The #2 cylinder had an extremely loose rocker arm. The thing is though the bolt was tightened all the way. I actually decided to just tighten the nut until the rocker wasnt loose anymore and snapped the stud. I have now replaced the rocker arm stud and the rocker arm is still loose.

The things that I can think would cause this are:

1. Damaged rocker arm
2. Pushrod
3. Lifter
4. Worn cam lobe
5. Valve Spring
6. Valve seating

I do not really think it is the cam lobe. And I do not really think it is the valve spring (it looks fine) or the valve seating (was fine ~3,000 miles ago when I replaced the headgasket). So that leaves me with lifters, pushrods, and rocker arm as the problem. What do you think is causing this loose rocker arm???


1998 Buick Regal GS
Best time, 90* humid summer day: 14.1 @ 96.8

Check for a collapsed lifter.





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