This might belong in the noob section, but im not sure. Anyways, I have been having a lot of noise under the hood lately, sounded like valves or lifters. I took the car in today to have it checked out and the dude called me up and said that it was a wrist pin or the piston ratteling in the cylinder, or possibly both. Now, i know a little bit about this kind of stuff if its put out right, but he confused the crap out of me and was talking about a complete engine rebuild. What i was wondering, is if its just a wrist pin, can i just replace the the pistons and rods? I was going to do it anyway, except with forged pistons/rods. I want to start building up internals so when i get more knowledge and know how, i will go boosted. So, what kind of damage could he be talking about if he wants a rebuild, or is he just trying to get money out of me?

It's not the wrist pin nor the pistons in the block. Unless you have over 200 000miles, the cylinder are still in good condition.

I wrist pin CAN'T come out when the piston is in the cylinder.

Describe the "noise" you get cause I really think your mechanic is trying to make money off of you.



Gilles
2.3 Ho

You probably spun rod bearing #3.

Well, its a clicking noise, as soon as the car is started it starts clicking and gets faster when the rpms go up, thats why i said i thought it was the valves. Usually its the worst between 2500 and 3500 rpms, then after 3500, it kind of gets a little less noisy (but still apparent). I havent felt a huge loss in power, but definetly some.

Im going to correct myself, the noise is more of a ratteling noise, not really so much clicking

There's a few things that can cause a clicking noise.

Exhaust leak, lifters, valves, timming chains, worn oil, ...

Try to see where it's coming from.



Gilles
2.3 Ho

I listened as best as i could, it most definetly is the bottom end. I went under the car and listened and it was the most loud from inside the oil pan.

is this a 2.4L? if so, im almost posiive that is a timing chain.

if it's a 2.2, lifter/tappets.

pop the hood, and listen to where u hear the noise if:

2.4L, and it's on the passenger side of the engine, it's timing chain/tensioner

2.2, and it's on top its lifters/tappets (obviously) if it's bottom end, and u can hear it fromthe oil pan, its an internal problem

if your having trouble pinpointing the location of the noise. take a long shaft srewdriver, and put the point on various spots on the engine, and put the nadle to ur ear, use it like a stethascope (sp)

Ok,i did what u told me to do. The noise is from the passenger side, however its hard to pinpoint an ecact location, even with the screwdriver thing. I have nothing to do in the next few days, so im probally just going to take off the timing cover and take a look. What exactly am i going to be looking for besides the obvious? And do u have any tips for me? As i said earlier, i know a small amount about this kind of stuff, so i beleive that i might be able to fix this on my own (hopefully) Any and all help/tips/comments are more then definetly wwelcome.

just see if there is any slack in the timing chain, see if there are any rub marks from the chain hiting where it shouldn't

I havent had the chance to open her up yet, but hoping tommorow. I did have a question though. The mechanic says "the piston is about to fall apart and the wrist pin is loose" Well, if that is the case, wouldnt the performance of the car have decreased by a lot. The other day i figured i was going to push it a bit just to see how bad she is running, so i hit the highway and brought her up to 85, not a single problem except for a little ratteling at at about 1/3 throttle. As sunfirepower97 said, he believes it to be a the timing chain, it does sound like a chain rubbing against metal. Hopefully this is the case, and if so, how much does a chain and tensioner cost about?Also, any tips on changing those and actually being able to time it myself?

Like I said before, the pin CAN'T come out of the piston. It cannot move enough to let the piston loose in the cylinder.



Gilles
2.3 Ho

^ yes, but it can still slap around in the cylinder

Mfk-223, i believe you, i was just thinking maybe something else was wrong with the pistons or rods. I guess there would be no way for me to check though, i know for a fact i dont have enough experience to rip apart my engine to that extent. As for the the timing chain, i just got a Hayne's manual today(i know, i know, i should have got a Chilton's), and it looks like i should be able to get it done and back together. I do appreciate all the help everyone has given me to this point, and if i have any more questions, i will be sure to ask yous guys.

Robert Bradley wrote:how much does a chain and tensioner cost about?Also, any tips on changing those and actually being able to time it myself?

timing chain: $40-60
tensioner: $44
timing chain tensioner shoe: $7
guides x3: $16 a piece
gasket: $60

total 200-210

bosch platinum +4 plugs

wtf?? get rid of those POS's, they are like garlic to vampire to GM

Thanks sunfirepower97, i will ditch em fast