knock or lifter tick?

[pooker]

Ok my engine makes a little knocking sound from the head, you can not hear it outside of the car or when you are moving. I understand that most sounds come from the head, my logger is down right now but I guess I will now in a few days. I understand that most noises will be transmitted through the head wether lifter tick or not, but I have never experienced it. Do you think this little knocking/tapping sound is lifters or rods? I have a video but there is no way to hear it, you have to get your ear right up on the head. Just for reasurrance, do you guys think it is the lifters or a spun bearing?

 

[eclipsegsxccca]

there is no way to diagnose your problem over the computer. take your car to a mechanic, they can help you alot more.

 

[Calan]

A bearing would usually be a "heavier" or "clunky" type of knock. Noisy lifters are usually more of a "click", but a bit heavier sounding than the typical injector ticking sound.

I had a similar strange sound before my teardown, but never found the source. The closest I could narrow it down to was something going on with the exhaust cam or possibly the power steering pump. It definitely wasn't a lifter though.

Listen under the car (but do it safely)... a spun rod or other lower engine problems will be easier to hear close to the oil pan.

Also, you could be hearing something from the tranny like a throwout bearing or intermediate shaft wear. Noises (especially from the tranny) in these things are deceiving because they are hard to localize without getting under the car.

Best bet is to get a mechanic's stethoscope, or follow eclipsegsxccca's advice

 

[AWDfrank]

If it's knock other then lifters would he see it when he uses his logger at idle?

 

[Calan]

The ECU (and thus his logger) can read knock no matter where it's actually coming from. For that matter, the ECU can see knock that doesn't exist at all if the ECU has issues, knock sensor is bad, bad grounds/wiring, etc.

So IMHO, the logger would be pretty much useless at determining where his knock is coming from anyway. If it's true "knock" (i.e. detonation), then yeah; the logger could help determine when and why it's happening. But as for "knocking" sounds... use your eyes/ears, a stethoscope, or a shop.

My .02