1997 Cavalier 2.2 OHV (152,000 KM / 95,000 Miles)
I realize that diagnosing sounds over the Internet is usually a waste of time, but I'll try to make this a bit easier than usual.
Since this past Spring I've been increasingly aware of a noise from my engine that me and my father had taken as lifter noise. Some key points:
- It is a rhythmic "clacking", which works out to once per engine rotation (rather than for every cylinder or randomly)
- It is almost never present when the engine is cold, and worsens as it reaches operating temp. I typically notice it just as I'm about to park.
- It is audible at an idle, most apparent at about 1500 rpm, and seems to go away at anything higher.
- The best location to hear the clacking exclusively, without a lot of other engine noise, is to stick my head in the passenger wheel well.
That last point is something that I just discovered today, while trying to record the sound, and certainly makes me wonder about the timing chain. I have included the sound clip here. I apologize for the craptastic microphone:
Click Here for MP3.
Any feedback appeciated.
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hmmm, I dont know about the sound, but I am too curious to see what it is. i have more of s clicking noise, and I have 155,000 miles, and I am wondering if I should get my valves adjusted. It seems as if an engine being this old, I probably should ahve them adjusted...
98z24, lowered 2", aem intake, cat-back striaght pipes!, cop ligths in the front and rear, 18" liquid metal's, primer black, tint, full audio and video.
i have this exact same problem on my 97 sunfire 2.2 OHV. i am thinking not the timing chain itself, but the timing chain tensioner. noticable from idle speed (approx 850 rpm)-1500 rpm then you really cant hear it cuz most slack goes away as it spins faster. i am kinda scared about mine as well, but have been driving it this way for about a month. any one else know whats wrong with our cars???????
Did I mention I drive a 2000 Lumina now?-----wigm-tuners.org member
It's pretty normal in the OHV 2.2 motors. It could be one or more of the problems combined. It could be a loose rocker, lifter, and the timing chain. The best way to fix the problem is to replace (if it hasn't been replaced yet) the timing chain with a double roller chain nd gear set-up. Then from there just adjust the rockers and if it still ticks then there's nothing more you can do except for using an oil treatment to keep the noise down. Other than that all is well, and all is normal in the OHV world.
As an interesting update to this, I was able to COMPLETELY ELIMINATE the offensive tick by using half a can of Seafoam additive through the vacuum line. I honestly didn't see that coming. It may not be a typical result, but the stuff worked a miracle for me.
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Ive been having the same issue on my J for years now. It started at about 15X,XXX miles, and it now has 222,XXX miles. The J has gone through a few procedures to fix the ticking and still no fix. We first did the lifters and recently the belt tensioner (heard it was common.) Now were pretty sure that its the timing chain tensioner. Im gonna go ahead and change everything once its all opened up, costing me about 350-400 bux.
Just noticed this thread resurface, and it's worth noting that despite my earlier enthusiasm, the noise did slowly return over the course of a few weeks in my case. I'll probably be tearing into the engine before too long to try some of the other usual suspects. My head gasket is leaking coolant externally (so far), so I'm on borrowed time before it will be torn open anyways.
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