help me diagnose this noise.

[ohioshodude]

hello all. as i'm getting the old red monster back on the road and my mind of other depressing things maybe you can help me solve this noise. i don't remember if the car was making this noise when taken off the road but as of the last 4-5 times i started it up i get a knocking noise in the valve train. in the clip below it sounds REALLY loud but its not that loud. you just hear it as in, "what is that odd quite knocking" i know i had planned a 60k in the future about 3 years ago so maybe thats it. let me know what the experts think! thank!

sound clip

 

[SHOtimer]

That sounds very similar to what my ATX sounded like when my timing belt tensioner went out and the belt was flapping around. Pull off the upper timing belt cover and start the car up, if you see the belt flapping that is your noise.

Doug

 

[ohioshodude]

i've checked the belt before at 180k (im sure its not original) and its in tip top shape... theres just a noisy clicking front the valve cover. i'll have to take the valve cover off and find out if the cam are still in spec.

 

[SHOtimer]

I didn't mean the belt itself is wearing out, I meant that the tensioner that keeps the belt tight is wearing out. Which would cause it to flap.

Doug

 

[NKPlus]

Check the timing tensioner, if its not that, when you pull out the valve cover off, after you check the cams, Make sure you check the cam chain tensioner.