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Engine noises are sometimes hard to determine. Depends on how loud the noise is and where it occurs in the engine, and how rapidly it occurs.

Sometimes you can grab a very large, long screwdriver and put your ear to the end of the handle. Touch the other end to a bolt or solid part on the engine. The screw driver acts just like a stethascope and you may be able to tell if the noise is coming from the top of the engine (lifters) or lower part (bearings).

At ALL TIMES be very careful the screwdriver, your jewelry, your hair, or your clothing or hands do not come in contact with anything that is in motion on the engine you could be hurt very badly. Be careful around the pulleys and drive belts, and remember that electric cooling fans can turn on at random without warning.

If the noise is a repeated heavy, dull thunk occurs when you step on the gas, you may be dealing with worn out main bearings.

Rapid, solid Knocking is sometimes rod bearings going bad.

A knock that does not occur rapidly may mean you simply have a fouled spark plug or bad spark plug wire, or clogged injector.

Lifter noises are usually lighter tapping like noises, but can sometimes be pretty loud.

Sometimes an oil change and a brisk drive can free a sticking valve lifter.

A valve train really shouldn't have any troubles unless you've racked up more than 100,000 miles on it.

Another thing to try is release the tension on the serpentine belt and run the engine for only a few seconds. If you decide to actually remove the belt for this test, make sure you make a careful note of how the belt is wrapped around the pulleys first!

Even the pros goof up on that one sometimes.

If the noise is gone when a belt is removed, or when the belt tension is released, one of the accessories like the water pump might be making an odd noise.

It's really hard to say without hearing it -- only a reliable honest mechanic can really give you an accurate answer.

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16y ago

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