The Central Hub for DSM Community and Information

For 1990-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, Plymouth Laser, and Galant VR-4 Owners. This is where the DSM platform history is documented and archived. Log in to help us in our mission, and to remove most ads from the browsing experience.

1st time turning engine over, what is this noise!? *video*

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

turbo98eclipse

15+ Year Contributor
1,096
15
Jul 27, 2004
northern, New Jersey
Hey guys! Ive neglected my DSM project for 4-5 months, and finally got back around to it. I primed my oil pump today and everything looked fine. With the spark plugs out and ignition disconnected, I was able to see around 20 psi on my oil gauge by 5-6 seconds of turning the car over. GREAT...

...And then I tried to start it... After I put the plugs back in and tried to start it, I got a strange clanking noise. I took out #4 and then #3 spark plugs, and the noise skipped those cylinders, so apparently it only happens once the cylinders have compression in them. With no plugs in, it turns smooth as butter, so I dont think it can be valves hitting the piston. Any clue what this can be?

thanks guys :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFhpWjDOPhk
 
Give me a second, I linked it thru Facebook... Ill put it someplace else.


EDIT: switched to youtube. Sorry!
 
First off it looks like the timing belt is too loose. Kind of sounds like it could be pistons hitting valves to me.
 
Check the timing. If thats fine. Maybe add a little oil to each cylinder to lube them up since its been sitting.
 
Sounds horrible but if it's not pistons slapping the valves, maybe piston slap on the cylinder walls? I've never heard the actual sound before, but that is a bad sound and it seems like it is the pistons slapping something.
 
The timing belt is actually very tight... I purchased the motor (block) from someone, but took it apart and looked at everything before I added all the components (timing, etc etc). Timing also appears to be dead on.
I THOUGHT it could be the valves hitting the piston, but if that were the case, then i figure it would make this noise all the time, but as I stated, if no spark plugs are in, it makes ZERO noise what so ever. If I put a plug in 1 cylinder, it will make the noise from ONLY that cylinder... in a second cylinder, then both cylinders-- so on and so on...

edit: I thought it may be the pistons hitting the walls too... since there is no oil in there to seal them while turning over, but I still didnt think it would be this bad-- Im stumped on this one!
 
Ok, update:

Wont turn over by hand. Car IS in neutral. With the plugs in OR out, it doesnt make a difference. I got back in the car with the plugs out and spun it with the starter just to make sure I wasnt crazy. Turned smoothly again... BUT I tried it a second time, car still in neutral and did not have the clutch pressed down (meaning clutch is engaged), and the starter would BARELY turn and then eventually not turn at all after about half a rotation.

This is a 5spd with a twin-disc clutch if that makes a difference. And as far as the engine and trans go, yes everything is/was torqued when I assembled and installed them.
 
Sounds like something mechanical if you cant turn the engine over by hand! You can do a quick compression test to see if you are hitting the valves! But either way things need to be torn down and inspected!
 
Sounds to me like you have something going on on the flywheel side of the engine. Have some one turn it over while your listening by the bell housing. You can also do a quick leak down or compression test to see if it is a valve problem.
 
Is there anything I should be listening for? Or looking for? I have the inspection plate off.
 
Most twin disc's require that you grind a little off the fork for clearance reasons, did you do any modification to the clutch fork?
 
I'd take the trans off before you start messing with the motor it's a lot easier than taking apart the motor and putting that back together. I bet it's something with the drive train it sounds too weird to be an engine problem.
 
Is there anything I should be listening for? Or looking for? I have the inspection plate off.

If you hear the noise threw the bell housing you found your problem. With how consistant the noise is and the pitch I highly dought its engine related.
 
I did the fork mod for the clutch. And when I think about it: the last time I turned it over by hand was right before I had the trans on it... I used this same trans on my previous motor, so Im not sure what the issue could be. And im 99% sure I installed the clutch properly. I even think I made a thread somewhere with pics to confirm it was correct!

I may have taken the end/back part of the trans cover off, and I do remember it has that circular round piece in it... maybe its in improperly? Who knows, I'll have to check this out tomorrow hopefully. Does this sound more like a clutch or a trans issue to you guys?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
That's the sound of your crank taking it's first steps. coochie cooooo.


Lol jk.

Lol I sure hope not!



Since it seems to not even disengage when in neutral, could it be that I just need to re-bleed the system and then adjust the pedal? Seemingly, those two things would have an impact on not being able to turn the engine by hand, if the clutch was still slightly or fully engaged, correct?

Would an improperly bled or adjusted clutch pedal affect all gears including neutral?
 
Add Value - Be Respectful - No Trolling - No Misinformation - Participate Often!
Support Vendors who Support the DSM Community

Latest Classifieds

Back
Top