Engine Knocking

billcu

billcu

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I drove my 94 Green Mark VIII for the first time since winter today.

I went to my friends house, and went to move my car, and it was knocking. It wasn't just a tick, it was a horrible knock. The car has about 190 k miles on it.

I wasn't too worried, I was thinking it might be a broken valve spring or maybe the tensioners went south. I thought I'd drive it home and if it blew up, it was already trashed, and I do have a spare engine anyway. Also, I thought it might just be a collapsed lash adjuster, and it would fix itself (yeah, right :D).

The car ran fine, and after about a mile, to my suprise, it did fix itself!:)

Not even a tick now.

So, now I know what a collapsed lash adjuster sounds like. I know it was the lash adjuster because that's the only thing that I know of that can fix itself like that.:)
 
I just wanted to update this:

I was wrong, there is one more thing that can fix itself here, the tensioners.

I started the car this morning, and it started knocking again. It's the same sound I get when I start the engine, but it didn't go away after a couple of seconds.

This makes more sense, as I thought the noise was too loud.

At least it's home now, and I can check it out if I ever get some time.:(
 
I have a knock on my engine every time I start it cold but I was told it's the timing chain & all i have to do is press the accelerator for 3 seconds while I start it then let go, it lubes it & u the knocking noise is gone.
 
UltimateSVT said:
I have a knock on my engine every time I start it cold but I was told it's the timing chain & all i have to do is press the accelerator for 3 seconds while I start it then let go, it lubes it & u the knocking noise is gone.
Click to expand...

what oil filter you running?
 
All 3 of my 94's have the chain tensioner rattle/knock at start up. The green car has always been the worse sounding though. The red Mark sounds the best and it has 205 k miles on it.

I've tried Mobil 1 and have been using the Motorcraft 820S filters for years now. It's never made a difference with my cars.
 
chicken said:
what oil filter you running?
Click to expand...

R0014092.gif


but I have a feeling that has nothing to do with that anyway.
 
bill yours sounds like a lash adjuster was stuck or something

ultimate.......well those filters are supposed to be good, got any leaks at the oil filter adapter gasket? the filter is what holds oil psi for startup it sounds like your psi is bleeding off somewhere
 
Yes, I originally thought it was a lash adjuster too but, after starting it and hearing the "typical" tensioner noise, then hearing it just continue, instead of stopping like it usually does, I'm pretty sure it's a tensioner.

I know it's from the driver's side, in the front (I used a mechanics stethescope). I'll probably pull the valve cover, and take a look.

I'll try to rig up a splash shield (as much as possible:D) and run it for a short time if I can't locate any obvious damage.

That should make a funny video.:)
 
CobraStar_LS8 said:
make sure the valve cover comes off in one piece
Click to expand...

Good advice. Did you actually have one come off in 2 pieces?

I've had the passenger's side off before, I've heard the driver's side is worse.

Oh well, I'd like to look at the motor mount too.:D
 
Oh, sorry, I've been out of town, I just read that thread.:eek:

I'll be using a different approach.
 
My '96 has had the "knock" at startup for several years now and it has about 293K miles on it. I was worried at first. Then I found out that it was the timing chain tensioners. I use the Motorcraft FL-820S filter and it doesn't change anything. It only rattles for a second and then stops. My local Ford dealership told me it would cost about $1200 bucks to fix the timing chains. Good God Man! I'll let it rattle for a while longer.
 
I have the tensioner rattle as well but not after i switched to synthetic... its been good. Spark knock shouldn't an issue with the knock sensors...
 
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