car troubles...

[underground57]

My car just started making this loud screeching kind of noise. I haven't had any transmission problems until just recently. I did have my clutch changed about a month ago so I'm wondering if maybe the shop that did it messed something up. I don't drive it hard at all or even that often, so It can't be wear. Then again, I don't even know if its the transmission at all. any ideas?

Also, I was doing some maintenance stuff (changing oil, air filter, spark plug...), and when I pulled out the plug from the second cylinder, it was covered in oil. now I know thats not a good sign. I also noticed a tapping noise which I believe is the cams not being timed correctly, right? Are any of these issues easily fixable by either me or a shop, or should I be ready to do a swap of some sort?

Any help is appreciated and thanks in advance.
Modified by underground57 at 6:33 PM 9/3/2004

[underground57]

ok, so the screeching noise mysteriously stopped when I pulled it back into the garage. Totally confused about that, but I still want to know what that could've been.

[C1rca]

its probably just the cam chain rattle it really isnt a problem but if you want it to go away and add some hp get adjustable cam gears they run on belts so the use of a loud chain is eliminated

[BadMojo]

Ummm...adjustable cam gears don't all use belts. The KA24E/KA24DE engines use timing chains. You can get some Jim Wolf adjustable cam gears and you'll still be using timing chains.

As for the noise...exactly where is the tapping sound? Is it a hollow noise near the front of the valve cover?

The oil on the spark plug could be leaking down past a torn inner valve cover gasket. The KA24DE uses an outer and inner valve cover gasket. The inner one keeps oil from leaking down in to the spark plug wells.

This may be a silly question re: the screeching, but have you checked out your brake pads? They may be trying to tell you something.

[underground57]

well I know for sure its not the brake pads, because that was one of the things I changed.

The tapping noise is coming from under the valve cover, and I couldn't get a sense for which direction it was coming from specifically. I'll have to check that tomorrow.

I'll also have to look into that inner gasket. That should be something thats relatively easy to change, right? I'm planning on changing the gasket for the oil pan when I have more time too, because thats starting to leak. I only got the car a few months ago, and I just finished moving about a month ago, so I haven't really had time to sort through all the problems yet.

[Silvia007]

Is the screeching heard during startup? During cornering? During Braking? If it's during startup it's a loose belt, if it's during cornering low power steering fluid (use atf as fluid), and if it's during braking it's the brakes regardless if they are new or not, you need to grease them up and make sure they have shims on it. Don't grease the face of the pads directly just where it touches the bracket that holds the pads. For the inner gasket, easy as cake to replace. Remove valve cover and replace the circle gasket with a new one. For the rattle, knocking, ticking, it's normal on all 240's with the timming chain and guide. It could also be from low oil.

[Florida240sx]

Anywhere from between 45-60mph car shakes so violently I can't control. Was fine earlier today. Does it when I brake also. Pulled ebrake to stop for the last time when it started shaking and it stopped. It was 9pm and raining and hurricane coming. So can't check it till morning. Suspect it's my right front brake but don't know what could be wrong being it was fine earlier. Ever since my tires were rotated the brakes have started to make noise unless i put lots of pressure on them.Any ideas of what my problem can be. Me and my friend are currently drinking my hurricane supply of Jack Daniels so if my typing is off or parts are missing I'm sorry

[underground57]

It definitely not the power steering. For the record, the high pressure hose was the biggest PITA to change. I must have used at least half a can of pb blaster and the stupid thing still wont come off. When I finally took it to the shop, the guy didn't believe me until he spent the better part of a day on it, and called me back to tell me how hard it was.

I'll have some time later today to check the chain, gasket, oil...

um, FL240, I don't know what the shaking is cause by, but as for the brakes, is it time to change your brake pads? Mine were making a noise too, but after I changed them it was fine. btw, take care down there. I was living in Orlando, and moved a week before charlie hit.