valves,lifters or rod problem?

[dikdiamond]

I own a '92 Eclipse GSX automatic turbo that is having a problem,and I'm trying to find the best solution. I was going through my bank drive-thru when I noticed a ticking(tapping?)noise coming from the engine. It was noticeable only when I had my radio down,and then with window down. No change in rpm's or idle. There was no noise before that day;you could barely hear the car idle while it was running. I quickly drove home,about 4 miles away. Took off my timing belt cover,to see if anything was rattling around in there. Nothing. Started her up with the cover off,trying to listen to where the noise may be coming from(no stethoscope). With the car idling I noticed slack every so often in the belt that I never saw until that day. Slack enough that when shut off I could twist the belt underneath itself,and other spots would be tight. Then I took off the valve cover,checked the lobes of the cams. On the rear cam,the cam closest to the injectors(exhaust?),I noticed a score or scratch on one of the lobes. So my question is,being an amateur mechanic/enthusiast what are my options? I realize it could be a rod or valves,possibly something else as well. Lifters I was told could be bad. I'm planning on doing upgrades to the motor eventually(new cams,cam gears,manifold,possibly new turbo) but I'm concentrating on little things now(getting it running). Friends are saying to buy a new motor or head. Unless I truly need it I'm not going that route. I'm just looking to get her back on the road

 

[DSMULATOR]

First, the cam closest to your fuel injectors would be your intake cam. If only one lobe is scored I would venture that possibly that lifter might be clogged and not oiling the cam. Oil should come up through the lifter, and oil the follower (rocker arm) and cam. Without listening to it I can't tell but usually a rod or even wrist pin knock is a deeper sound than a valve train 'tick.'

As for your timing belt, it might be stretched or the hydraulic tensioner might be worn out. If it skipped a tooth on the cam gear you should probably see some bent vavles and it usually won't run too great. With an interference engine I don't know how much clearance we have before the piston meets the valve, but i'd say even one tooth on the cam gear would probably be cutting it too close. Check to see if any valve springs are compressed even when the cam lobe is not pushing down on them. If so, you've got some bent valves and its time for a motor build.

 

[dikdiamond]

Maybe I'm looking to hard at the timing belt,because I immediately thought I had jumped timing. It starts and runs fine,no hard idle,shuts down faster than it did though. Just that noise. I'm starting to work alot of hours and think I'm gonna hand it over to people that know what they're doing. I would attempt to do more if I had another car as well,give me time to tinker around. I'm a novice when it comes to cars,other than simple things like a dead battery or being out of gas. I've learned more about my car from these forums than from anyone else. Thanks for your help!

 

[DSMULATOR]

Good luck, and keep in mind that these forums are a wealth of information. So even after that so called 'professional' checks your car out, run his findings by a few people here and see what they think. Put a couple of brains together and you can get some great results, and save yourself from possibly getting ripped off.

 

[dikdiamond]

Got her back today,and found out everything I believed was wrong,wasn't even the what the problem wasWTF...turns out one of the tensioner pulleys was on backward,causing the belt to pull into the motor,instead of into the lip that is there...the lip was to the outside. And therefore giving a noise that sounded like lifter tick,because the timing belt was hitting the side of the engine. And a few of the other belts needed replaced,plus the auto tensioner,hydraulic tensioner,my oil return line was leaking and a brake line need replaced. FINALLY I'm on the road again,thanks DSMULATOR for taking the time to discuss my problem with me