Loud Clacking

muzikmann · 05-30-2006, 02:35 PM

Started my car up this morning and a very loud clacking noise started coming from the engine. My valves have always made a little noise, but this was a lot louder. Checked the oil, it could use changing but it's at a good level. I can't pinpoint the location of the sound, but it's definitely coming from the engine itself (as opposed to the power steering or any of the other stuff like that). Otherwise, the car is running fine. I haven't noticed any drop in performance and the engine is relatively smooth (as smooth an engine with 192,000 miles can run). Any suggestions as to where the gremlin may be? Thanks in advance.

itsmesillybubba · 05-30-2006, 02:38 PM

Stop driving the car and get it checked out! You may be causeing additional damage.....could be a lifter or a rod or something....one of the valves could have let go and the piston is hitting it....but I dont think it would still run....but anyways....get it looked at by a professional

RangerRover · 05-31-2006, 12:13 PM

Ever changed the timing chain? Where is the sound coming from (front, rear, left or right side, bottom, etc?)

muzikmann · 05-31-2006, 03:19 PM

Never changed the timing chain, and the sound is coming from that side. But it sounds more like the "normal" valve clacking has just gotten louder. What would the chain sould like? I'm going to have my friend (ASE master mechanic) take a look at it. She seems to think it might be the valves from what I've told her. The car is still running well, just more noise.

muzikmann · 05-31-2006, 07:26 PM

Ok, so my car is a spaz. It stopped doing whatever it was doing and is back to "normal" (knock on wood). I'm still going to have my friend look at it. Go figure. It's nearly 14 years old.....it must be going through puberty. Until then, I'll keep my ear on it.

itsmesillybubba · 05-31-2006, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muzikmann

..........I'll keep my ear on it.

Careful not to burn it.

05-30-2006, 02:35 PM	#1
muzikmann Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Golden, CO - Senior @ Colorado School of Mines Posts: 139 1993 SL1	Loud Clacking Started my car up this morning and a very loud clacking noise started coming from the engine. My valves have always made a little noise, but this was a lot louder. Checked the oil, it could use changing but it's at a good level. I can't pinpoint the location of the sound, but it's definitely coming from the engine itself (as opposed to the power steering or any of the other stuff like that). Otherwise, the car is running fine. I haven't noticed any drop in performance and the engine is relatively smooth (as smooth an engine with 192,000 miles can run). Any suggestions as to where the gremlin may be? Thanks in advance. ... Jeff Parham 1993 SL1 - R.I.P. @ 198,000 Miles 2000 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro

05-30-2006, 02:38 PM	#2
itsmesillybubba Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 1,104 itsmesillybubba's Photos 2006 ION-3 Quad Coupe	Re: Loud Clacking Stop driving the car and get it checked out! You may be causeing additional damage.....could be a lifter or a rod or something....one of the valves could have let go and the piston is hitting it....but I dont think it would still run....but anyways....get it looked at by a professional ... Friendship is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth. My 95 SL1 is gone :(

05-31-2006, 12:13 PM	#3
RangerRover Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Creedmoor, NC Posts: 1,648 RangerRover's Photos 1999 SW2 1994 SL2	Re: Loud Clacking Ever changed the timing chain? Where is the sound coming from (front, rear, left or right side, bottom, etc?) ... You can tell Linux is made by geeks.

05-31-2006, 03:19 PM	#4
muzikmann Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Golden, CO - Senior @ Colorado School of Mines Posts: 139 1993 SL1	Re: Loud Clacking Never changed the timing chain, and the sound is coming from that side. But it sounds more like the "normal" valve clacking has just gotten louder. What would the chain sould like? I'm going to have my friend (ASE master mechanic) take a look at it. She seems to think it might be the valves from what I've told her. The car is still running well, just more noise. ... Jeff Parham 1993 SL1 - R.I.P. @ 198,000 Miles 2000 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro

05-31-2006, 07:26 PM	#5
muzikmann Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Golden, CO - Senior @ Colorado School of Mines Posts: 139 1993 SL1	Re: Loud Clacking Ok, so my car is a spaz. It stopped doing whatever it was doing and is back to "normal" (knock on wood). I'm still going to have my friend look at it. Go figure. It's nearly 14 years old.....it must be going through puberty. Until then, I'll keep my ear on it. ... Jeff Parham 1993 SL1 - R.I.P. @ 198,000 Miles 2000 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro

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