1999 Pontiac Sunfire GT

So my engines been making a distinct knocking noise for at least 10-15,000km. Ive been waiting for it to die basically before replacing it or the entire car. The other night it started to misfire very badly. It was like the cat was plugged, no power at all. I thought i ran out of gas at first, which was where i was pulling in, so i filled up. It still drove like it was stalling out or something, erratic acceleration, cutting in and out. Entire car was shaking like it was a monster truck. Engine lights flashing, than stuck on, then out on its own for some reason. Scanned Engine codes, code for cylinder 2 misfire. I know what it was flashing for, but while it continued to run rough, i dunno why it would turn off.

Anyway, replaced plugs and plug boots and not only does it cure the problem, it no longer knocks. Its just like it used to be, idles quiet as can be. Plug boots were stuck and broke, that was great.

Car as always ran like a top, even when its been knocking. 5 speed new clutch, release bearing, master and shift cables resurfaced fly. Brand new tires and premium brakes, lots of other things. Man am i lucky, it made my car worthless, but shes back in the game. 238-239,000km on it now, mostly highway. Gotta take it in to have an exhaust hanger, welded. It broke right off, the one in the center on the pipe.

What are your thoughts on that? (knocking) -
I was waiting to replace it, it was that bad. It happen overnight after long highway drive. I thought for sure there was some kind of internal damage, we know it wasn't timing related that's about it. The more i read about the 2.4, the more expensive it sounds. $36 in parts in my case. Labor done by myself. I thought for sure it lost compression or something and was finally dead, i changed plugs praying it would continue to run, knocking or not. I feel lucky. I was gonna change the plugs a while back and thought no, if its not broke don't fix it (before it knocked) I was scared of it being aluminum, with my luck something would go bad. lol Im shocked at the outcome, its better than ever.

Everyone's always so quick to call the LD9 a rod thrower =P