Engine Noise / Ticking, Knocking, Tapping MERGED

[eric489]

All threads with vague titles regarding engine bay noises are now merged HERE.

If you honestly feel we can diagnose an internal engine problem from a poor description or low-quality video / audio sample, give it a shot.


I own a 1997 gst spyder and there is a ticking noise comming fron the engine. It comes and goes and it mostly sounds bad at idle. I have 97,000 miles on it and i change the oil regularly. I changed it about 2000 miles ago I need help to fix the problem.

 

[newadventure]

You say you have 300 miles on the motor, When did you first notice the noise was it all of sudden, during a pull or what? IF you haven't already found the problem I wouldn't start the car if possible. If that main timing belt cover isn't rubbing I would possibly suspect a balance shaft bearing gone. Just a suggestion, hope all is well in the end.

 

[TsiRevolution]

You say you have 300 miles on the motor, When did you first notice the noise was it all of sudden, during a pull or what? IF you haven't already found the problem I wouldn't start the car if possible. If that main timing belt cover isn't rubbing I would possibly suspect a balance shaft bearing gone. Just a suggestion, hope all is well in the end.

Noticed it on the way home from a meet one nite, kinda happened all of a sudden. From inside the car it sounded like the exhaust was coming loose. I don;t think it's rods or anything because it doesnt sound like its coming from the bottom of the motor. Ill check out the timing belt tomorrow. Anyway to tell if the balance shaft bearings are going out? or is it just easier to remove the whole shaft and be done with it?

 

[tqmx1]

Well with 600 miles on it I would pull the oil filter and cut it open for your own piece of mind and check to see if it made metal. The first 1000 to 1200 miles is the make or brake milage on a fresh engine. If it gets past that (unless absued) a engine normley will have a long helthey life.

 

[TsiRevolution]

Update:

I think I found the source of the noise. Judging from the pics, do you guys think these are the wrong cam gears (too thick) or just a bent timing cover? Also should the white lines line up like the factory timing marks, I can't believe that the timing could be that far off and the car still runs well. Lastly, in the last picture the circled plug was disconnected, I plugged it back in, just curious what it is. Thanks

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[brandt]

i have a 97 gst with a 95 socketed ecu for dsm link. recently i have been having a clicking noise that i cant figure out where it is coming from. it is only when it is at running temp. it sounds like it is coming from behind the radio. the noise is only when i am pressing the gas. in first gear i can only take it up to 2500 rpm's then it acts like there is no power or as if i am not pressing the gas and starts to decelerate. if i go into second if feels as if the car is just gonna stall out. battery level is good because i had a problem with my charging system and got that fixed and i just checked the battery. 12.6 volts. anyone think they know what it is?

 

[RED TREAD 97]

I know this may be stating the obvious, but check all the vaccume lines chances are there might be a line out of place or even torn. Check fuel pressure, check the harness connected in to the ECU, and also check for boost leaks. The ticking sounds like an ECU issue, but try to check the stuff that is already in place and not as costly to repair.

 

[viperlp01]

It sounds like a bad relay if it is clicking. I would look and see if any of your radio "hot" wires are touching the ecu. it might make it act funny. see what is going on down there and keep us posted.

 

[ProjectTalon92]

the plug on the back of the throttle body is the TPS (Throttle Postioning Sensor) and it seems like the timing marsk are where they should be. once you rotate the the timing marks they will line up like they should be. as for the noise, i would take the side engine cover off and see if the noise continues. if so. also, i'll ask if you have the balanced shafts removed cause if you blew a head gasket, you could have done some done some internall damage. i had a VERY similar sound and turns out the bearing around the rear balance shaft had spun and the shaft was just flapping around in the hole it went through. if this has happened to you, there will be some bearing damage. hope this isn't it. if this isn't the problem, i have some other solutions. just keep us posted.

 

[TsiRevolution]

the plug on the back of the throttle body is the TPS (Throttle Postioning Sensor) and it seems like the timing marsk are where they should be. once you rotate the the timing marks they will line up like they should be. as for the noise, i would take the side engine cover off and see if the noise continues. if so. also, i'll ask if you have the balanced shafts removed cause if you blew a head gasket, you could have done some done some internall damage. i had a VERY similar sound and turns out the bearing around the rear balance shaft had spun and the shaft was just flapping around in the hole it went through. if this has happened to you, there will be some bearing damage. hope this isn't it. if this isn't the problem, i have some other solutions. just keep us posted.

I still have my balance shafts, if a bearing went bad, would removing the shaft take care of the problem?

 

[ProjectTalon92]

that would fix your problem. but i wouldn't just tear down the block to see what the problem is. if at all possible, get the car up, take off the oil pan, and touch the balance shafts. if they move AT ALL then there is your problem. also check the oil and the bottum of the oil pan for any metal shavings. those metal shavings could get between the bearings and the crank, or the rods. like i said, i wouldn't tear the car apart right away. do the small things that are easy to put back on or back together.
by the way, that car looks very nice!

 

[brandt]

it is night time here but im gonna go check the radio wire and make sure that no wires are touching the ecu and check the wires for the ecu. the other stuff i will check tomorrow. ill post what i find. thanks a lot.

i just went and pulled out my radio. made sure the wires weren't touching the ecu and it still made the noise. it is definitely coming from around the ecu. tomorrow i am gonna go look and make sure everything is plugged into the ecu and that the connections are tight. keep you guys updated. any other suggestions?

 

[Boostin2High]

I had the same exact noise when i had my HG changed..turns out the Intake Manifold gasket was backwords and was rubbing against my timing belt..just figured I'd put in my similar experiance

 

[Defiant]

Type in full words while you're here.

12.6V? Your alternator's dead.

 

[My1GLaser]

There is also a fuel pump relay down there under the radio on a 1g. I am not sure about a 2g, but you could check that also if your ECU turns out to not be the problem. It is a yellow zinc colored metal cased relay on my 1g. (same color as a Grade 8 bolt) It clicks on only once while the engine is cranking and doesn't click off until the car is off, but yours might be bad and clicking in and out when the car is under load and reducing the current flow thru the relay to the fuel pump. I know the voltage at the pump can actually drop to near 10V, so maybe that is enough for the bad relay to start acting up. Good luck!

 

[Squigs]

Ok, this is really starting to piss me off. When my car sits overnight, or sits for a little bit, when i start it up, there is a really annoying loud squeky noise. Its coming from like the belt area. I know the sound. My belts are fairly new. They arent to loose, or 2 tight. Although, when i told my dad to take a look for me also, my belt looks like its running crooked.We tried to straighten it but it wont. Theres something next to the belt, some kinda part, that is missing a bottom screw and it looks like its making it run crooked. Once my car warms up, it doesnt squek, only when i first start it for about a minute.This noise has been happening for about a week now. Although last night, it was squeking the whole time, even driving.

If you want, i can take pics of the area to show you what i mean. Sorry for long post

 

[drewvr4]

Yea need pics.

 

[wret]

Crank / balancer pulley.

 

[16gpoweredgsx]

Crank / balancer pulley.

+1 on that, the rubber part of the pulley probably split and is crooked. Easy fix though.

 

[Squigs]

ahh alright, guessing you guys dont need pics than

how do i fix it

 

[psychbiker1966]

Checked with FIST RACING in Houston they have several highly modded cars with machined cranks but to a max of 10/10 on rods/bearings..

 

[brandt]

thanks for the replies. i will be looking into the fuel pump relay.

 

[wret]

You remove the splash guard under the fender, remove accessory belts, remove four small bolts in the pulley (not the large bolt in the center), give it a couple whacks, and it will fall off. OEM the preferred replacement, but these are defective. They only last a hundred thousand miles or so.

Oh, and don't allow the crank to turn counter-clockwise. That's like crossing the streams.

 

[brandt]

here is a video of the noise. sound isnt all to great but it might help

Video of dsm - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

 

[OneLove]

recently i started hearing a knocking noise when i put my foot on the gas.
it almost sounds like the exhaust is really raspy now, but it is actually just a knocking noise that is really bothering me. the harder i put my foot on the gas the louder it is.
but when i downshift it doesnt make the knocking. i cant hear it at idle either

i checked as many things as i could think of and couldnt find the problem.

the sound basically sounds like a raspy exhaust note, but also two things hitting togethor. i dont really feel a difference in performance

i recently put on my SSAC fmic.

any ideas? please help
thankyou

 

[BUCK]

I don't see BSE in your Profile so Balance Shaft Bearings or Rod Bearings is my guess - any recent Oil Pressure changes?