Driving with rod knock.....for over a year?

[tsitalon03]

I bought a used stroker shortblock and it was installed Nov '09. It always had this noise and friends have had different opinions on it. Some say rod knock some say head/timing components. The head that is being used is pretty worn out. It was on my previous motor that overheated pretty bad. The valve seals leak and the car burns a good amount of oil that I top off every other day. I have a rebuilt head on the way from dsmgraveyard. Here is a link to the video. Give me your opinions so I can make plans to what I'm going to do with the car.

YouTube - Rod Knock 2g DSM

All mods in my profile are current. Maybe my driving style has any thing to do with it? I take it really easy on the car and hardly ever go wot because its not tuned.

 

[JusMX141]

That really does sound like rod knock to me- has the same repetitious sound, although it doesn't get louder as the engine is revved which is generally trait of rod knock- as the RPMs climb, the noise will get louder.

I've seen a case where the tip of the timing belt auto tensioner broke off from the hole where the grenade pin goes through upward. The tensioner pushed the whole way out, but it still wasn't enough to take all the space from the gap between the tensioner arm and the auto tensioner. The tensioner arm flapped against the auto tensioner at idle and caused a sound that mimicked rod knock.

 

[tsitalon03]

When the rebuilt head arrives I'm gonna order a timing belt kit and new water pump. The timing belt is fairly new but I'm still gonna replace it. The other pieces: idler pulley, tensioner pulley, and tensioner were all reused when the block was dropped in so the mileage is unknown.

 

[BrokenTsi]

Well...in the year or more that you've had this noise, have you pulled off the oil pan to check the bearings?

Start pulling stuff apart, its gotta be coming from somewhere.

I would say, that if your old engine didnt make this noise, the problem lies in the used block that you bought with all the used unknown mileage parts that came with it. It was probably the reason why it was sold to you.

And rod knock is alot louder, and you usually don't hear it at idle.

 

[tsitalon03]

No, I haven't pulled the oil pan but I dont see any shavings when I change the oil.

 

[BrokenTsi]

No, I haven't pulled the oil pan but I dont see any shavings when I change the oil.

You wont always see shavings. Either way, I think the bearings are fine, you should inspect that used block and all the components that came with it.

 

[SpawnedX]

Check to see if your harmonic dampener is separating.

 

[3kgt2nv]

Could be piston slap also. They can sound very close to each other.

 

[tsitalon03]

Check to see if your harmonic dampener is separating.

The block came with this aluminum pulley. I didnt like it so I switched to an oem look alike from slowboy. I'll take your advice and check anyway.

Could be piston slap also. They can sound very close to each other.

That crossed my mind a few times. I heard je pistons will do that.

 

[Absit]

Absolutely does not sound like rod knock to me. If it was bad enough to hear it at idle the chances of it lasting a year are slim to none.

I did find your narrative ridiculously irritating, just type it out next time and post the log. I could only listen to this for about 2 minutes before I lost my mind and shot myself in the face, so whatever comes after that in the video I didn't see/hear.

 

[tsitalon03]

Absolutely does not sound like rod knock to me. If it was bad enough to hear it at idle the chances of it lasting a year are slim to none.

I did find your narrative ridiculously irritating, just type it out next time and post the log. I could only listen to this for about 2 minutes before I lost my mind and shot myself in the face, so whatever comes after that in the video I didn't see/hear.

Lol.....that was my first youtube vid. I didnt really even plan doing it, but I had to make a vid to show everyone the sound..cant type out a sound. It just came as a spur of the moment type thing. Next time I make a vid I'll write a script.

Would a slightly bent valve make a similar noise like that?

 

[rallyturbo]

my power steering pump is takin a dump and it sounds like a rod knock.
maybe belts slappin
do you still have the balance shafts in that would be makin the sound.

Does the sound change under boost or when back peddling?

water pump?

get a automotive stethoscope and start probin around.
pull your valve cover and inspect the valve lash adj.

does the sound ever go away, when its cold, high rpm, low rpm, etc..

 

[tsitalon03]

my power steering pump is takin a dump and it sounds like a rod knock.
maybe belts slappin
do you still have the balance shafts in that would be makin the sound.

Does the sound change under boost or when back peddling?

water pump?

get a automotive stethoscope and start probin around.
pull your valve cover and inspect the valve lash adj.

does the sound ever go away, when its cold, high rpm, low rpm, etc..

I have no power steering. My alt belt is fine, balance shafts are removed.
The sound doesnt change at all. The only time I really hear it is at idle. Maybe water pump. The head will be replaced very soon with a fresh rebuilt head along with a new water pump and timing belt kit.

 

[Tyeler18]

The very end of the video sounds like typical lifter tick, which tends to go away when revving.

 

[rallyturbo]

i guess youll find out after you put the new head on. you said that you got it from dsm graveyard too good work.
jon is a great guy.well the whole team is!

 

[tsitalon03]

I forgot to update this thread but my problem is solved. A little over a month ago I had the head installed (dsmgraveyard stock rebuild debur ported) along with a ported 1g intake mani & a timing belt kit with a new waterpump. Well i just wanted to say the noise is gone and the car feels good. My fp green is still on the stock wastegate pressure as I'm still fixing some boost leaks.