Loud Tapping Sound From Engine

[Marccus]

I am getting a VEY LOUD tapping sound from my engine which varies with the engine RPM. It is a hollow sound unlike the sound when something heavy hits something solid.

I was told it could be a tappet, valve ?

Any ideas what it is, what I have to do to fix it?

 

[Ishodu]

Is the sounds at the top or bottom of the engine? At the top it could be a valve shim out of spec or a cam chain tensioner. At the bottom it could be a bad rod bearing. Try to pin point the sound with a large screw driver with one end held to your ear or use a mechanics stethoscope.

 

[Marccus]

:cry: Sometimes it appears to be coming near the top of the engine towards the mass air flow meter side. But then I hear a heavier sound at the bottom of the engine; and it is not a steady tap, tap, but like something rumbling around.

When I drive it (I have not choice; it is my only car) the loud tapping sound is always there. But I can feel the heavier, "thicker" sound near the bottom with my feet. Also when I lift the hood, I can feel the sound coming from the bottom, as I thought something was wrong with the flywheel / starter area as I just replaced the starter.

Sounds pretty bad, huh, and expensive to fix. :cry:

 

[Sho-N-Go]

Year and mileage might help us. Is it an Auto? We have had some problems with the timing belt tensioner on the autos. This does sound more involved though.

 

[Marccus]

Sorry.

'89 SHO
306,600mi
MTX

 

[Racer X]

Well, at least it lived a full life.

From your description of the heavy noise, it sounds like you spun a bearing.

 

[SHOtimer]

Well, at least it lived a full life.

From your description of the heavy noise, it sounds like you spun a bearing.

Not necessarily, it just might be nearing the point where that would happen. You need to pick up some rod bearings and get a new set in there, because if you keep driving like that you will spin a bearing and then the motor will be worthless.

Doug

 

[Marccus]

A friend of mine thinks it is a bearing also, as when he listened to the sound, it didn't appear to him to be a valve tappet.

But he thinks it is the bearing on the connecting rod that clamps on the crankshaft.

What does "spin a bearing" mean and how does that make a motor worthless?

I need a mechanic in the Southern California area to help me. I'd do it myself but I don't have a location where I can work on it.

I used to go to the SHO Shop run by Vladimir, but a recording says his number is no longer in service and there is no additional information from the phone company.

I live in the area of Irvine, California, 92610 -92660 area code.




Can anyone help?




Otherwise I will need to get it towed to a Ford dealership (Theodore Robbins Ford, Costa Mesa, CA) where they have worked on my car in the past.

Could I drive it there (?) - it's about seven miles away.

How much do you think it will cost at the dealership to just get it in shape to get going?

Have I done any irreversible damage by letting it run at all at idle or under load for about 15 to 20 miles? :cry:

I really need to get this thing going again as I don't have an option of getting another car. :cry:

All help and recommendations appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[SeanMc]

Go to www.shocal.com and ask some people there. A lot of guys live in or near OC (myself included, Anaheim).

 

[Ishodu]

To spin a bearing means that the bearing shell actually turns in the caps rather than the crank turning inside the shell. This will destroy the finish on the crank and will require a crank grind to make it work again. Its not a real hard job, and most places will not just change the rod bearings, they will want a grind before so that they can say it was done 100% right. But if you haven't spun one yet the new bearings should be all you will need. I believe the shoshop is still open but under a different name and #.

 

[Marccus]

I don't know if this will help determine if I spun a bearing, but at idle the sound or banging or whatever you call it stops. I mean it stops completely - not just softer.

When I start the car, if the rpms are just a LITTLE above idle the noise is there. But once it settles down on idle, however slowly or how long it takes to get there, the nosie stops.

Does this mean that the condition is better than if I spun a bearing, or does this really tell you nothing.

Thanks for your help.