Engine noise

[ILLSHOU]

I am new to the SHO forum, I just recently bought a 95. I have an engine noise that sounds like a clacking...Its gotten increasingly louder, I dont have near the power i should have, and my check engine light is coming on. When i sit idling the car gets gradually hotter. It hasnt got more than a little over half the gauge as of yet. Ive all together stopped driving it til i can get it to a shop. I checked all the fluids, none are low. It used to cool down as soon as i started driving, but now it doesnt even do that...Any thoughts on what it may be? I am not familiar with these cars yet, I am new to them. I had a Thunderbird SC before this. thanks
~Tom

 

[hooterville]

Are you located in IL, if so, where are you?

Could be a number of things but it definately doesn't sound good.

 

[ILLSHOU]

No, I am not from Illinois. Im from PA. I can tell you anything you need to know that might help distinguish what it could be....Im kinda worried about it. I purchased the car on Ebay in florida, i flew down to get the damn thing and drove it back. I think this may have been a mistake. My reason for doing so is it was in great condition inside and out and clean...and the miles are only 67000. I got it for about 4500
It def doesnt sound good, but what are the possibilities bad to good....And do you or anyone else know any good local SHO specialists in the northeast PA area?...thanks
~Tom

 

[93nighthawk]

It's kind of hard to diagnose a sound, it could need the 60k done to the engine. The Check Engine (CE) Light tells you that there is something definetly wrong. Without the codes, it could be anything. Go to www.shotimes.com it gives you some trouble shooting and how to pull codes with a paper clip and what each code means. These cars are pretty easy to work on, the tuff part is trying to figure what is wrong. Come back with the codes and we will be able to help you more.

Also is it an ATX (auto) or MTX (5-speed)?
Eric

<small>[ November 11, 2002, 10:45 PM: Message edited by: 93nighthawk ]</small>

 

[projectSHO89]

I hate to say it, but it sounds like your car has multiple problems.

The "clacking" needs to be isolated to either the top or the bottom of the engine. If it is coming from the bottom, it's probably rod bearings. There have been a number of posts over the last few months on how to replace them. Please avail yourself of the SEARCH feature to get some background. If the noise is coming from the top of the engine, you likely have a fault in the camshaft/shim/valve train. need to do some more diagnostic work for that.

The CEL means that the computer has found something it doesn't like. Most often, this will be a sensor problem, but until you get the stored codes, guessing wil be pointless. Codes can be pulled with nothing more than a paper clip, some patience, and these instructions: http://dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html or these: http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&sid=83

Also, put your year and tranny in your post or in your signature.

Good luck.

Steve

 

[ILLSHOU]

its a 95 ATX...ill try to get the codes, thanks

 

[Bizzy]

where abouts in PA are ya?

I'm gonna be out in PA from upstate NY this weekend. I could bring my Auto-xray code scanner with me if your not to far off the route I plan to take. Would make pulling your codes alot easier. I'm leaving Thursday morning for Niagara Falls, then I'll be in western PA Friday night (doing nothing) and all day Saturday. I'm prolly driving across PA to NYC Sat afternoon/evening.

 

[ILLSHOU]

Im from Dupont PA, its about 2 hours from NYC...its NE Pennsylvania wilkes barre scranton area if your familiar...you could email me if you want..
[email protected]
thanks
~Tom

 

[93nighthawk]

Any luck on pulling codes or diagnosing?

Eric