Rod bearing failing?

[95burgundyesi]

First off I have developed a tapping or a knock of some sort on the drivers side of my car. Wensday, or whenever I cna get the time to tear into her, I plan on taking the power steering and alternator belt to see if the knock goes away.

But a rod bearing isn't out of the question I don' think. the car has 93k on the original 7 bolt. Only speed mods are the free mods found in the upgrade path. My Dad said they should last 200k on that motor if driven normally. I don't rev it past 6k and It only sees that when I am doing the 1/4.

I think it could be possible since he was telling me about things like for example piston rings, an older lady babies a car for 60k and its a good running engine. Then all the sudden you start bringing it too red line, since it has been broken in differently there is a different gap and they can break or wear out. He said that could be the case witht he bearings.

I also think it could be a a water pump but we listened to it and my Dad is very knowledgable about cars and I dont even question or ask him are you sure because I will get the WTF look( im sure when you were learning or have a dad who is into cars you might of got itfrequently, I sure do.)

Any opinions or knowledge of the likleyhood of rod bearings just deciding to fail or spin would be great.

 

[dsmmatt28]

What were you doing when this sound happend? How does the car act. Is there a loss in power? It could be a lifter tick. look at the bottom of the spark plugs. Its hard to diagnose a car over the internet we need details to help you. You might have to drop the oil pan to found out.

 

[95burgundyesi]

It is not lifter tick, and yes they tick, what DSM doesn't tick when its 20 degrees . There is no loose in power, no vibration. Oil is nice and brown and the compression 170 across. It's is definatly in the lower drivers side in the cover, pan or belts.

I does not overheat after at temp. And I have not noticed any change in how the car feels or responds at all, except for a big ticking or knocking noise.

 

[dsmmatt28]

Drop the oil pan my friend. Does it sound like its comming from inside the motor. Or from the outside?

 

[95burgundyesi]

Hard to tell, i pull my ear to the cover with the oil cap off, and it wasnt in the head. And with the belts all moving I cant tell where its at.

I am going to climb under it and put my ear to the pana nd see if I cna get a better idea when I havea chance. Then take the belts off to see if it could be the power steering pump or alternator belt. I have never heard a bad water pump but my Dad said it doesnt sound like that usually, but it is still a possiblity.

Is it possible the crank and block is still good since I don't think it has spun. I will be steamed if I have to put in a 6 bolt. Then I will have a tre stage 2 with 1k on it and still a tiny t25. If it comes to that I will concider putting a 6 bolt in and selling it because it's a clean car with no speed mods and it would be ready to go.

Leet said in a thread I started earlier when I talked about my tie rod end change in the snow, " It's miller time." well I think it IS that time!

 

[eclipsegst1990]

Before you go through the work of dropping the oil pan, check the harmonic damper pulley (crank pulley). I've had this start to fail and cause rattling sounds which can make your heart drop believing that it could be a rod bearing. If this part did fail (rubber squeezing through the two halves), purchase a quality damper to prevent premature bearing failure.

 

[Boostjunki84]

let us know what you hear, i spun a rod bearing before; ended up having to machine the crank and get a new rod and bearings, but it wasn't that bad. i don't think you would need to replace the whole bottom end, especially if you were thinking of selling it.

a good cheap way to better listen to what's going on inside your engine would be to get yourself a stethascope; i've used one for quite awhile now and it works very well, especially in places your ears can't reach.

 

[meliketoball]

If you have a camera, maybe you can make a video of it for us. Youtube.com it.

 

[95burgundyesi]

Yeah I have to get one, I could do it on my cellphone tonight but that wouldnt give any clues. Ill work on getting some video today.

 

[GVR4592]

My money is on the balance shaft bearing.

 

[95burgundyesi]

Today I removed the belt that spins the alternator and water pump, the sound went away, and it is lower than the alternator. So I will be looking for a new water pump. Im tempted just tp replace all the stuff like i should at the 60k maintence point.