Engine Tapping

[RICHARD ROWLEY]

Help. I have a 92 mtx and there is a tapping sound from the top center of the engine. If I push the clutch in there is no change. The sound gets louder if I raise the rpm. I will not drive the car, or start it, very nervous. Has anyone had this problem?

 

[SHOtime2511]

yes,unplug your secondaries and see if the tapping stops.....im serious!
this is a very common problem in 3.0L engines.just trace where the vac lines go into,it should be a small canister looking thing,the plug is on there.

 

[SHOtimer]

How many miles on the motor?

Doug

 

[RICHARD ROWLEY]

I will try that, thanks guys. the engine has 130,000 miles on it.

 

[sho_sc]

Hate to say this, but it sounds like the infamous rodbearings. Does the oil pressure light flicker when the engine is warm? Is the oil pressure sending unit plugged in?

 

[1993MTXSHO]

i have the same sound its a light tappign goes up with rpm's, iv been driving for a few thousand milse with it iv got 99k now, if its what i have i wouldnt think its a problem. If it starts to get worse then defintly change your rod bearings. Personally I would change them anyway if you have never done so with 130k just for peace of mind. What would unpluging the secondaries do? Do the secondaries make noise if they are loose or something is wrong with the vaccum?

 

[RICHARD ROWLEY]

traced the sound to the top center of the engine on the back of the intake. no sound down low or knocking. oil light does not flicker. have a great tech. to look at my car

 

[SHOtimer]

You could have a valve out of spec, your cam chain tensioner could be worn out, or you might need new rod bearings. I would do the bearings anyway.

Doug

 

[YAHTEC]

yes,unplug your secondaries and see if the tapping stops.....im serious!
this is a very common problem in 3.0L engines.just trace where the vac lines go into,it should be a small canister looking thing,the plug is on there.

just out of curiosity, what exactly are you talking about. I dont have any knocking btw...

 

[SHOtime2511]

just out of curiosity, what exactly are you talking about. I dont have any knocking btw...

what happens is the small vac canisters that operate the secondaries wear out.when they do it causes a tapping sound, that changes with RPM as well.
untill 4K when the extra runners open then the sound goes away.

i know this from experiance,its happend to me.i almost took the engine appart
but someone let me know of this problem,tried it and it worked!

 

[LOUDSHO92]

As mentioned I would pul lthe valve covers and check you chain tensioners as well as the valve clarance.

 

[RICHARD ROWLEY]

thanks for the help. i bought an 89 mtx engine and tranny for 500, that runs good. getting the valve lash looked at to check the sims and the cams. will let you know what happend. are the 20 plus cams worth putting in for 650 bucks?