Okay, here are the details. Any suggestions or ideas of the problem would be greatly appreciated...

1995 Sunfire 2.2L OHV, limited engine mods (see Profile if needed), approx. 149,000 original miles, been running well considering age.

The car has been running fairly well lately (I just checked the gas mileage and it was a little over 28 mpg as of last week -- not bad for an old girl...). It has had the 2.2 lifter "tick" for quite a while now, but after hitting some high RPMs (may have hit rev limiter) and a brief streak down a hill on the local interstate, she starting making some nasty noises which I didn't notice over my loud exhaust until I started down the off ramp.

The loud "took-a-took-a-took-a" mechanical, metal noise obviously alarmed me as I slowed down. Starting out from the stop sign at the end of the ramp was very sluggish. She would almost "cycle" in and through a stall at the first stop light, too, all the while continuing the "took-a-took-a-took-a" noise. Idling was lethargic and very similar to having dirt in the fuel line (if you know what I mean). Acceleration was clunky and the "took-a-took-a-took-a" noise would get faster and louder with any increased load.

She runs, but isn't liking it too much, I don't think...

In advance: I know I was stupid for pushing an engine with those amount of miles on it. I shouldn't have done it on the highway anyway -- I learned the hard way... Just wanted to clear that up...

That said, any ideas? Thanks in advance.






L8r...
____________
. . . . jb . . . .
...Son Fire!


*** Need some 1995 Cavalier parts ???
*** FOR SALE: doors, windows, interior, engine parts, fenders, etc. -- email me!

Oh, forgot to mention... The car is a 5-speed. And the oil level is fine. It was changed by the stealership about 3 weeks ago (I had a free coupon) and to my surprise they used Castrol GTX (not sure if it was the synthetic or dino).

Also, not sure what rpm I hit as my tach is not operating at the moment...





L8r...
____________
. . . . jb . . . .
...Son Fire!


*** Need some 1995 Cavalier parts ???
*** FOR SALE: doors, windows, interior, engine parts, fenders, etc. -- email me!

Off the top of my head I'd have to say either spun a bearing or cracked off a piston skirt.
Either way its not good.

Rebuild time.

Sorry for the bad news man.




Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.

Jack: thanx for the info, but here's some new info with a twist...

But I think you're right -- this is going to be a headache one way or another...

Got the car to work this a.m. Upon start-up the idle was very rough (same as last night). The loud "took-a-took-a" noise was still there. Acceleration was rough and there is a noticeable power drop just like last night as if I was running on 3 cylinders. Cruising was also rough... BUT...

After about ten minutes of constant highway (65-72 mph) driving, it smoothed out. I can't hear the noise over the exhaust, but I assume that it was still there... The roughness came back once or twice (very briefly) over my 22 mile trip to work.

Driving through the city was fairly normal, as was idling at stoplights. Acceleration and downshifting was more smooth. I could hear the "took-a-took-a" noise, but not as loudly now.

Is it possible that the noise is a lifter going bad and that a valve may be sticking/unsticking? That would account for the power loss...




L8r...
____________
. . . . jb . . . .
...Son Fire!


*** Need some 1995 Cavalier parts ???
*** FOR SALE: doors, windows, interior, engine parts, fenders, etc. -- email me!

Its possible as describing sound is veeery difficult to try to do. took a took a took a ??
Could be a bad lifter and air isn't flowing right. Then it could also be a burned valve and your hearing the compression being lost. Its hard to say with out hearing it in person.

Do this. look at the oil on the dip stick, wipe off one side of the dip stick with your pointer finger and then rub the oil between that finger and your thumb. Do you feel any grit ? If so is it a lot ? if there is any what color is it ? If its aluminum or copper colored
its bearing material.

Next test would be to do a compression check. This will let you know if you have a cylinder sealing problem. Disconect the plug wires and pull all the spark plugs buy / rent / borrow a compression tester ( looks like a big dial with a hose and a threaded end ) The threaded end goes where you removed a spark plug from. get in the car and crank it over with the key for about 10 revolutions of the engine. Its easy to tell cause you'll hear it slow down a bit when its on the compression stroke for the cylinder that has the gauge hooked to it. Do that on all 4 cylinders, the readings SHOULD be within about 10 - 15 psi of each other MAX ! If you have one thats way low thats the cylinder where you have issues.

Go do those and get back to me and let me know what your results were.




Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.

Thanks, Jack. I will do those things. Won't be this weekend, tho, as we're travelling (diff car) for the holiday.

I'll borrow my Dad's compression tester and I will check back in sometime next week.

Thanks again...







L8r...
____________
. . . . jb . . . .
...Son Fire!


*** Need some 1995 Cavalier parts ???
*** FOR SALE: doors, windows, interior, engine parts, fenders, etc. -- email me!