Please Jesus tell me it isn't rod knock

[Tballer25]

So before I get started, I am well aware that this is probably rod knock, this is a last hope that someone tells me something to change my mind.

I am not able to work on my car at my apartment so now that I am home from college for xmas I decided to do some maintenance on my own. I had an oil leak from the front valve cover so I changed the gasket and went ahead and replaced the plugs, as it has 123k and I just purchased it from a kid who had it 6 months and told me he never even changed the oil (didn't tell me until 3 weeks after I paid him). Basically the only thing that was done was change the plugs and also the radiator hoses. Beyond that I also removed the resonator from the stock intake arm and plugged it. <-- my dad did this and I do not know how it was plugged, looked secure when I saw it. So I put everything back together and start her up. She started perfectly and died after 5-7sec. I had removed the maf so I figured this was normal. Started back up and TERRIBLE knocking noise from what seems to be cylinder #2 area. I did not remove the rear valve cover at any time. I inspected all the plugs and wires and everything seemed fine. The only thing I can think of was something fell into the cylinders that neither of us noticed (we didn't cover it when we removed the plenum :/ )

Is there ANYTHING I can check that could cause this knocking temporarily? I know its a shot in the dark, but its all I have right now.

[anyonebutme]

did you account for the washers under the 2 nuts on the ends of the plenum? Those are a common culprit of "how did something get into my engine after changing plugs".

no plugs closed up? Check all 6?

[Tballer25]

did you account for the washers under the 2 nuts on the ends of the plenum? Those are a common culprit of "how did something get into my engine after changing plugs".

no plugs closed up? Check all 6?

lol one of those washers fell out before the plenum was removed and is lost, but the other is still intact. Unless that lost washer grew legs and crawled its way up in there, I don't see how it would be what got in there.

as for the plugs, I checked them all and everything looked fine, but I am going to remove them and inspect all tomorrow morning to be double sure. I guess what I am asking is, will the knocking from running less than 6 cylinders sound like rod knock?? Because I have seen plenty of videos and this sure sounds like rod knock.

[GTwizard]

They don't crawl up in. They fall down into the lower plenum. LOL.
Really common. Happens all the time to those that don't read first.
And once the washer is gone. Yoiu had better find it. Not knowing it's location can kill you motor.
Side note.
Belt slap sounds like rod knock. Check your timing belt.
Post up a vid if you dare start the car. I would not.

[Street_Chally73]

Personally, I'd get a bendable, telescoping magnet and fish around inside each plug hole and then move to the lower intake plenum and run it around in there to see if it finds any foreign metal in any of those places.

If you find something large, then I wouldn't be too optimistic about what would have happened during the start-up when you first noticed the noise.

GL, man! Hopefully it isn't an end-all scenario for your car's engine, but I have to say that it doesn't sound too well for you at the moment.


Sent from the gasoline garage

[Tballer25]

I appreciate the feedback guys. I have already put it in my mind that it's rod knock. Now, where do I go from here? I know I can't drive it. Situation it's at my folks house in Miami, fl and I am returning to Orlando later today. They are going to have a "mechanic friend" look at it. -_- I know mechanic friends always suck, especially with these cars. I don't think I can afford an entire rebuild. Is finding a used more realistic?

Also, if I did use a telescope magnet wand and find something then that just confirms the problem that something was hitting in there. At which point I am still fuckd right?

[Tballer25]

One last thing I am 99% sure nothing fell into the lower plenum, but obviously I am wrong. I've read enough horror stories to know to protect it, I guess accidents happen.

[IPD]

broken ringlands. :p

[ICPREY]

Could also buy a cheap bore scope(with a light) to look in the cylinders..

[wingnut]

Could also buy a cheap bore scope(with a light) to look in the cylinders..

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_11494.jpg

Inspection Camera - Save on this Digital Inspection Camera (http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-inspection-camera-67979.html)

...70 bucks with the 20% coupon in about every car magazine on the shelf :D

[mcshooter]

dont let a mechanic friend that does not know these cars touch it... see if anyone on 3sgto near you that knows these cars willing to check it out. i would remove the oil pan and check each rod for peace of mine.

[thor'svr4]

+1 its very easy to check for rod knock, just drop the oil pan and wiggle every rod.

i dropped a washer down my intake plenum but didnt realize it. i started my stealth up and it knocked like crazy. but all i did was pull my front head, use a pair of vice grips to pull the washer off the piston (was lodged in the piston and looked like a small pretzel) and then i put the head back on. that was around 20,000-25,000 miles ago and she still runs fine. my dad daily drives the stealth every day to and from work. so even if you did drop a washer down the plenum theres a good chance it will only cost you ~$100 for new head gasket and bolts.

[anyonebutme]

I was lucky and was able to pull the washer out of the spark plug hole in a buddy's car...which is why I asked if there were any closed up plugs. Usually the washer will damage the plug as it bounces around in there, but sometimes not.

[speedy25]

Rod knock doesnt come out of nowhere. It develops over time. Since you ADMIT to not covering the intake when the plenum was off, you have solved the mystery. NEVER EVER leave anything open when you do disassembly.

Yes I have personal experience with this sort of noise in a Kia engine that grenaded. I typically leave the intake in the car when the engine is removed. Unfortunately, a piece of steel from the old engine got sucked out of the intake into the new engine and started making a racket. Luckily it wasnt very big and didnt make any holes.

If you are lucky there will be no bent valves. If not head work will be in your future.

You can also remove the oil pan and look for evidence. You will find LOTS of glitter in the oil if it really is rod knock. You can also move the offending rod(s) if the bearings are damaged.

Good luck in your repairs.

-SP