Connecting Rod Bearings?

[Kerok]

I've searched the forums a fair bit for more information on connecting rods and bearings but can't find really detailed info.

There's a huge gap between the more experienced guys who know what others are describing and the inexperienced like myself who don't completely understand this issue.

I'm worried I may have an issue like this but I'm not sure. The only reason I'm investigating is because I have a slight rattle from what seems to be below the engine ONLY while there is more of a load on the engine. ( accelerating uphill and pushing the engine a bit harder. ) I am generally pretty light on my car so I don't hear it often. While the engine is idling it's not a problem.

It's been described in a few threads I've read as having a similar sound as heat shield rattle from the catalytic but mine has been removed due to rusting out. I was very familiar with that sound until it was removed. This sound is much more faint but from the same area. I thought for sure it was an exhaust issue like a small leak or something but it's a fairly distinct sound.

I will try and capture some audio of it next week if I can which will be difficult I'm sure. The few videos I've watched on you tube of this problem the sound is a very different sound that mine, much louder and more of a knocking sound but I've also heard read there if it's in the "early stages" it's not quite as bad.

Can someone please enlighten me on this issue and do your best to describe what is happening in layman's terms.

From what I have pieced together... The connecting rod bearing is really just a piece of metal that is the middle of the connecting rod in 2 pieces. If it travels too far or oil is low it can mar the surface of it on the bottom of the oil pan ? Which then causes a rattling sound and eventually a knocking and can severely damage your connecting rods in the process. Pieces can even break off and end up in the pan?

The clearance is measured in fractions of a millimeter and if it is off by a hair can cause problems... The connecting rod bearings can be replaced and or grind down to thin them out as long as the connecting rods aren't damaged?

This can be a difficult process to complete as you have to remove many parts and be fairly experienced to pull it off but a set of replacement bearings is inexpensive if you can do the labor yourself ?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I really have no idea wtf I am talking about.

To describe the sound it's more like a rattle of keys or washers jingling around, not a knocking sound. Only under load... may not be this issue at all. No idea.

Thanks!

 

[tweety2300]

I know what you are talking about its a like a rattle. I have the same thing it comes and goes. I haven't been able to track it down yet. Which heat shield did you remove? There's more than one. There's one on the header, 2 on the precat and 1 above the main cat. Remove the one in the header and both in the precat as its probly one if them.

Generally a rod bearing is rpm dependent not hill.

Also the rod bearing connects the rod to the crank

 

[j3mimazxl]

I had the same proble
m I my p5 an it was the connecting rod

 

[Kerok]

I know what you are talking about its a like a rattle. I have the same thing it comes and goes. I haven't been able to track it down yet. Which heat shield did you remove? There's more than one. There's one on the header, 2 on the precat and 1 above the main cat. Remove the one in the header and both in the precat as its probly one if them.

Generally a rod bearing is rpm dependent not hill.

Also the rod bearing connects the rod to the crank

I will check the other heat shields and see if after removing them it goes away. I don't think it's the one on the header but it could be one of the precat ones. The one I removed was the heat shield for the main cat.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Kerok]

I had the same proble
m I my p5 an it was the connecting rod

Did you fix it yourself or bring it to a shop to fix?

 

[DarkAngel]

Quick question. Does the rattle also accelerate when the engine does? If it doesn't then it's probably not a connecting rod bearing.

From reading many of the members on here that has spun a bearing, an oil pressure gauge would probably be a must on these engine. One sharp turn with low oil and you can spin it easily. I am thinking of installing the one I have just to be on the safe side including the oil temp as well. I am planning on getting a water temp one as well. Living in the desert I rather monitor these vitals even though I am N/A. Never hurts.

 

[Kerok]

Quick question. Does the rattle also accelerate when the engine does? If it doesn't then it's probably not a connecting rod bearing.

From reading many of the members on here that has spun a bearing, an oil pressure gauge would probably be a must on these engine. One sharp turn with low oil and you can spin it easily. I am thinking of installing the one I have just to be on the safe side including the oil temp as well. I am planning on getting a water temp one as well. Living in the desert I rather monitor these vitals even though I am N/A. Never hurts.

Hmm... not really. It seems to just get a little louder and more annoying on acceleration. Not really faster as I accelerate or in sync with the rpms...

I normally back off the gas whenever I hear it even the slightest bit as it's annoying and I don't want to make anything worse.

An oil pressure and temp gauge is not a bad idea.