valves ticking and rattle noise when starting engine....

[amolao]

Ok, this is a clean low mileage (108,000) 1989 hatch. No smoke, lots of power and runs smooth. Now for quite some time (about a year) my car started making a low rattling sound when starting the engine in the morning. Sounded like something loose, metal to metal.... for about 3 seconds and then it was gone. I suspected that my chain was bad again, and replaced the chain, sprockets and tensioners....the rattle was still there. A couple of months ago, the rattling is there EVERY time I start the car trought out the day. Can it be low oil pressure (weak oil pump)??? ALso during warm days I hear my valves ticking loudly when i step on the gas....(going up hills or just plain acceleration....) maybe oil starvation???

Sorry about the long post, and this is my first problem of this kind... Oh and theres nothing loose in the engine or exhaust system....And yes my oil level is good.

thanks

[s13sr20chris]

checking you oil pressure would not hurt. you may have a bearing clearance that is too great. if it were a rod bearing it would be a middle pitch double knock sound. if it were a main it would be a low thump. metal on metal sounds more like a rod bearing. the noise going up hills sounds like spark knock(ping). try a tune up with timing check and maybe a can of 44k or seafoam.

[amolao]

Can the two noises be related???On all the diferrent scenenarios that you presented (rod bearing,etc...) , what are the fixes individually??WHats the worse that can happen?? with time...

[s13sr20chris]

replacing bearings is really an engine overhaul. you could just do the bearings but it almost is not worth it in most cars. its definitely not worth it in a 240 just because of how hard it is with the motor in the car.

[amolao]

Thanks, last question...what does a bad clutch bearing sounds like???

[NISTECH]

When you push the pedal down it is a growling noise. like dragging a sheet of plywood across asphalt.

[amolao]

Im back from the dead... sorry about reviving this thread, but I have some new findings...the valves rattle during start up and revving engine is related to the timing...I adjusted the timing counter clockwise a few degrees and drove the car, started the car and no ticking or rattling....now my questions:My car is not timed "correctly" going by the distributor, but it never looked right because in order to be timed correctly the dist. got to be almost maxout clockwise...I always suspected a prior chain replacement job as the culprit. I dont think the pulley is off because the way it fits into the cam... I dont have a timing light to check the actual time but yes is way off (??)going by the dist. but performance wise is running like a champ....sorry about the long post and please can somebody tell me how to verify my timing settings...

[NISTECH]

to check mechanical timing remove the valve cover and set the engine to top dead center by the mark on the crank pulley, then look at the dot on the cam pulley. Are they in the right place? If so your gear timing is right, now with it still there pull the distributor cap and see where the rotor is pointing, it shoul be pointing toward plug wire for cyl one, if all that checks out now you need to check electrical timing, get out your timing light unplug tps ,[your valve cover is on at this point] start the engine and set it to spec with your timing light. To do the electical test the car must be at operating temp.

[benemorius]

The rattle you described sounded very much like the timing chain. Are you sure it's gone? And the fact that your valve noise went away when you retarted the timing supports Chris's suggestion of pinging, by the way.

[amolao]

Yes all settings are correct, I even double check everything last time I installed the timing chain, but like I said I noticed that to get the timing in the right spot the distributor is almost max out clocwise...I did also replaced spark plugs, that didnt change anything. Yes it sounds just like a bad timing chain, thats the reason I change it last time. What else might cause to ping when timed correctly (??) I guess at this point I can assume that the oil pump is good....

thanks

[kapower06]

This sounds very similar to my problems...start-up rattle so I replaced everything with the kit from hybridka.com.... started it up same damn sound as before but last time my straight guide was smashed to bits last time... I dont know what is making the sound but the start up rattle isnt near as bad as befor but there is still a knocking sound between 2.5-3.5k rpm ( only low load/throttle)... the timing is on the last mark on the pulley I think its 20 deg. ? anyway if you solve your sounds please tell me how. thanks

[nelson8708]

I have a 89 240sx sohc. It has 128,000 miles on it. I want to turbo the engine. I was wondering if i would have to rebuild or replace it with a new engine with less miles. I only plan on running 5 to 7 lbs of boost. The motor runs fine right now it doesnt smoke or burn oil. So the questiion is should i get a new motor to turbo.

I also have the same problem when i start my car there is a rattle in the engine compartment. This only happens after the car has set for a 5 hours or more. I was told that the timing chain tensioner is controlled by oil pressure and it will make that noise when you first start it. Is that noise normal or is something wrong.

P.S. Before i get the turbo should i get a new timing chain.

[NISTECH]

if you have an after market oil filter that may be your problem as it lets the oil pressure bleed off as it sits, the longer it site the more oil runs off into the pan.