Question about Dodge Avenger.

[buugiewuugie]

Hey gus. I might be buying a dodge avenger. And I need to ask a question. The avenger has the same engine as the neon which is the same as the eclipse correct? so that is why I figured you guys might know.

The car has a ticking noise its fairly loud. at first it thought it was a lifter. But it kinda slow. And the spark plug wire on cylinder 1 is bouncing up and down. Some one said it might be valve tap? what do you guys think? Its definately coming from the top of the engine.

Also the car dies when stopping. But not all the time. when it does it just cuts off. Doesnt bog or anything. Just dies. But it will start right back up. Any thought on this one also?


Thanks guys!

 

[jking29]

If the plug wire is jumping, the plug is either loose or it was cross threaded. The tick you hear is from escaping compression. The compression is what is pushing on the wire making it jump. Pull the wire and check it out. If the plug is loose, just tighten it and see if the noise is gone. If the plug is tight, well you might be better off walking away depending on how much you can get it for.

 

[buugiewuugie]

the car is 1500.. If that is not the problem what else could it be?

 

[jking29]

If the plug is not loose, pull the plug completely out and look at the threads of it for traces of aluminum. Also, count how many complete turns it takes to take it out. As long as it was not cross threaded past the 1/2 way point, you could probably retap the thread if you are extemely careful and use grease on the tap to catch any chip/shavings. Also, if it is past the 1/2 way point, about the only way of fixing it is to remove the head and helicoil the threads.