Engine Tapping sound?

[fathergene]

Ok I have searched all the forums on here for the 2.0l about knocking and tapping sounds. I have been experiencing a audible tapping or knocking sound coming from the engine during certain times of my drive. When warmed up it happens mostly between 2500 and 3500 rpm, under part throttle or when shifting. I used to have a camaro that had a rod knocking and it does not sound like that, it sounds almost like a valve issue. BUt last night I checked the valve clearances and they are all in the .008 to .010 that the book gives. So I am some what at a loss right now. I don't really want this thing to blow up since it is my daily driver and I commute about 130 miles to work every day. Does anyone have any ideas. I know that there is another post that talks about this same issue but there was never any resolution on it. Any help out would be great! I was thinking about dumping a can of restore in it and seafoaming through the brake booster line.

 

[tweety2300]

Try changing the oil...

 

[fathergene]

Ok did that about 1500 miles ago with full synthetic mobile one 5-30.

 

[tweety2300]

Are you sure its ticking ad not rattleing? Could be a heat shroud loose

 

[fathergene]

I think that the heat shield for the cat under the shifter is loose, but that is a rattle noise. What I am hearing is a engine noise that I would be used to hearing on a V-8 with valves out of adjustment. But the valves are good I checked them last night.

 

[tweety2300]

Spun bearing? Although they are usually loud I have the same symptoms but mine will stop for a few miles when I add oil it also comes in between 3000and 3500 but doesn't stop. I would try sea foaming it

 

[tweety2300]

Btw can you explain how you checked the clearence?

 

[fathergene]

I just followed the shop manual http://web.archive.org/web/20050315202630/protege5.ugly.net/01-10b.PDF reference 10b-5 valve clearance

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

Maybe have someone rev it and listen for the source. The FSDE has a loud valvetrain, but your description seems closer to a spun bearing. If it's coming from the bottom end then it's a spun bearing, and you're going to probably have to rebuild or replace the engine. But it may just be noisy valves. Let us know what you find.

 

[fathergene]

in the process of seafoaming right now, I'll let you guys know.

 

[fathergene]

ok tapping sound is still there. Next oil change probably going to pull the pan and inspect, no metal noticed in oil during last oil change. The manual does not show any bolts behind the bellhousing for the oil pan, has anyone ran into this situation? I read it on a different post. Also any ideas on cheap complete engines? and how long would it take to swap out?

 

[tweety2300]

Somebody replaced his rod bearings by removing the oilpan and the plate there the bearings go for 20 bucks I think onjcwhitney.com

 

[Velocifero]

I have changed my bearings by removing the upper and lower oil pan, then it is just a straight shot at the bottom of the connecting rod bolts. It is all done with the motor in the car. Only snag is you DO need to drill through the bell housing to access 2 bolts to remove the upper oil pan. Hit me up with a PM and I can send you some pics of where to drill and some of the things to look out for. BTW I replaced mine with the Clevite 77s, they are stock quality for much cheaper.

 

[CheeseHelmet]

Maybe have someone rev it and listen for the source.

This is the best advice, put the car on a set of ramps and have someone rev the engine while you poke around underneath. I had a nasty rattle a couple weeks ago, it turned out that my vertical crossmember was loose. I only found this out by getting under and pressing on the crossmember while the engine was being revved (it wasn't noticeably loose but enough to make noise).

 

[fathergene]

It was the rod bearings #1 and #4 were pretty ate up. I'll post some pics when I can. The crank was fine and not out of round or scored at all.