Hello. On this fateful day my car developed what I believe to be rod knock. Yesterday I made a boost leak tester, and fixed MANY leaks that I have been driving around with for about a month.
I took it out for a drive this morning, after everything warmed up. I give it a some gas, and hit fuel cut. The boost had gone up more than planned, because my fixed boost leaks caused the boost to go up. I stop at a store and turn down the boost from 14lbs to 10.5 (I only have a fuel pump & s16g). I then proceed to drive back home. I made sure the boost was set to 10.5 lbs, and then roll into full throttle. The car went no where, like I had more boost leaks! I thought perhaps my (auto) tranny was slipping. To further investigate, I went down another road, and went from a 40 roll and gunned it. It pulled pretty good. No hesitation or bogging. Weird.
Almost at my apartment, I give it some more gas for one more pull. I heard this clicking sound, and thought my bumper or tire caught something. I tap the gas, and sure enough, the sound corresponded with throttle.
I park it, and find the idle to be very smooth and have no abnormal sound. But, when I rev in neutral, about 2k rpms and above, it gets a knocking sound. Very loud, and from the middle of the engine. I panic, and go research. I come back, and one by one pull the spark plug boots to see if it goes away. Sure enough, when cylinder 2's spark plug boot is pulled, it sounds completely normal.
I believe this is rod knock!
It does sound like the youtube rod knock vids. Except most of the engines on youtube have a pulsating knock, and the knock is at idle as well. Mine doesn't pulsate, and it only knocks at 2k and above.
I do have 2 exhaust leaks, and have been driving around with it until I can get my stripped turbo flange holes re tapped. One is at the turbo/manifold, the other is manifold/head (dunno how that happened). My car is about 1200 miles over due on an oil change. It also had low oil for about a day. (It was on the low oil mark.) It was low about a quart. The oil is really black and dirty.
I have researched and my next thing to do is pull the oil pan, and check for shavings. I will also look for any bearings that I can see and check if anything looks amiss.
I love my car, but it is getting expensive! 200 for payment 200 for insurance. 200 for premiums gas, 150 for fix its a month.
Should I sell my 99 gsx, or fix it. I have little money right now.
My friend is willing to sell me his used 7 bolt for $1000, but its been abused by a 50 trim.
Am I dreaming, or could that exhaust leak be the culprit? refer to this post #11
Fixing rod knock... possible?
Any advice on what I should do.
........Anyways what i would do is check the compression accross all pistons, btw the exhaust leak would not make the same noise as a rod knock. Take the car to a shop that you trust and have them check it and that way you can have a better second opinion. As far as rebuilding goes, if you want a strong engine for cheap just throw some 6bolt rods and 2g pistons together, otherwise everything else is up to you.
