I have a 2003 cavalier with 2 .2 ecotec engine. . It started knocking real bad yeaterday, I checked the oil and it is full infact I just had the oil changed last tuesday... so I took it to my mechanic today and he said it spun a bearing but when calling around I was told it could the timing or the cam... I dont have alot of money to put into this car so im looking for anyone else that has had this problem or suggestions on what I should do.. thanks!!!
Engine knocking
- Thread starter FlO03cAv
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Check spark plug wires and spark plugs first....oh wait...these have Coil on plugs right....see if power is being sent to each cylinder first before you spend money on anything else.
Some of them developed wear of the timing chain and hardware related to the chain. Does an automotive stethoscope show more noise from the front cover of the engine?
A timing chain replacement can be very costly.
A timing chain replacement can be very costly.
Take it to another mechanic and get a second opinion. Its impossible to disagnose an expensive, complicated engine issue on the internet based off your post.
You may want to seek out an older, experienced mechanic. A lot of young mechanics just switch parts when a computer or an instrument of some kind identifies a fault. The younger mechanics may have never taken the head of an engine to surface it and do a valve job, honed a cylinder or replaced rod or main bearings or the rings on a piston. A stethoscope might help. A fiber optic camera setup might be useful. And don't forget the experienced ear.
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
If you really did spin a bearing,running it is going to make it worse.Goodbye crankshaft and possibly goodbye connecting rod and any other block material if the rod breaks off at the bearing cap.You would be starving that journal of oil.
Agreed. STOP driving it until you know what is wrong or you could damage it beyond repir or make it much more $$$. Have it towed to another mechanic or to the shop where you will have it fixed.
If you really did spin a bearing,running it is going to make it worse.Goodbye crankshaft and possibly goodbye connecting rod and any other block material if the rod breaks off at the bearing cap.You would be starving that journal of oil.
Agreed. STOP driving it until you know what is wrong or you could damage it beyond repir or make it much more $$$. Have it towed to another mechanic or to the shop where you will have it fixed.
Originally Posted By: FlO03cAv
I have a 2003 cavalier with 2 .2 ecotec engine. . It started knocking real bad yeaterday, I checked the oil and it is full infact I just had the oil changed last tuesday... so I took it to my mechanic today and he said it spun a bearing but when calling around I was told it could the timing or the cam... I dont have alot of money to put into this car so im looking for anyone else that has had this problem or suggestions on what I should do.. thanks!!!
Post a video. My Chevrolet is doing the same thing.
I have a 2003 cavalier with 2 .2 ecotec engine. . It started knocking real bad yeaterday, I checked the oil and it is full infact I just had the oil changed last tuesday... so I took it to my mechanic today and he said it spun a bearing but when calling around I was told it could the timing or the cam... I dont have alot of money to put into this car so im looking for anyone else that has had this problem or suggestions on what I should do.. thanks!!!
Post a video. My Chevrolet is doing the same thing.
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
If you really did spin a bearing,running it is going to make it worse.Goodbye crankshaft and possibly goodbye connecting rod and any other block material if the rod breaks off at the bearing cap.You would be starving that journal of oil.
Agreed! The more you drive it, the worse it will get, like within a few miles.
A rod bearing comes in two pieces, (top and bottom). My experience has been that usually the bottom bearing "slides" to the top so that now, both bearings are on the top which creates a large space on the bottom. The noise is the rod "slapping" or "bouncing" back and forth on the crank. The more it "knocks" back and forth, the more destruction of rod cap and crankshaft. You'll have little or no oil pressure, (even with plenty of oil) and eventually you'll either lock up the motor or throw a rod. If you throw a rod, it might knock a hole in the side of the block and that will be the end of the motor.
How easy is it to drop the oil pan? If it's easy to drop, you can drop the pan and check for rod play, (simply grab the bottom of the rods and see if you can wiggle them back and forth. If you have a spun bearing, you will be able to move them with your hand).
If it is a rod bearing, the expensive way is to have the crank removed, turned and new bearings installed. The cheap way, (which I have done), is to drop the pan, remove the cap on the bad bearing, clean the crankshaft with emery cloth, and install a new standard size bearing. It's a gamble as depending on the damage done it might work and it might not. The expense of the cheap way is the price of the bearing, oil pan gasket, and of course the oil and filter, (this is all assuming the pan is easy to remove).
If you really did spin a bearing,running it is going to make it worse.Goodbye crankshaft and possibly goodbye connecting rod and any other block material if the rod breaks off at the bearing cap.You would be starving that journal of oil.
Agreed! The more you drive it, the worse it will get, like within a few miles.
A rod bearing comes in two pieces, (top and bottom). My experience has been that usually the bottom bearing "slides" to the top so that now, both bearings are on the top which creates a large space on the bottom. The noise is the rod "slapping" or "bouncing" back and forth on the crank. The more it "knocks" back and forth, the more destruction of rod cap and crankshaft. You'll have little or no oil pressure, (even with plenty of oil) and eventually you'll either lock up the motor or throw a rod. If you throw a rod, it might knock a hole in the side of the block and that will be the end of the motor.
How easy is it to drop the oil pan? If it's easy to drop, you can drop the pan and check for rod play, (simply grab the bottom of the rods and see if you can wiggle them back and forth. If you have a spun bearing, you will be able to move them with your hand).
If it is a rod bearing, the expensive way is to have the crank removed, turned and new bearings installed. The cheap way, (which I have done), is to drop the pan, remove the cap on the bad bearing, clean the crankshaft with emery cloth, and install a new standard size bearing. It's a gamble as depending on the damage done it might work and it might not. The expense of the cheap way is the price of the bearing, oil pan gasket, and of course the oil and filter, (this is all assuming the pan is easy to remove).
Is is possible the oil pump failed? Go to another mechanic and hope for a better diagnosis. I have had "mechanics" tell wife(then girlfriend) motor is junk only to find a loose starter bolt making a knocking noise. Sent her to my guy and done.
Originally Posted By: FlO03cAv
I have a 2003 cavalier with 2 .2 ecotec engine. . It started knocking real bad yeaterday, I checked the oil and it is full infact I just had the oil changed last tuesday...
Two questions: How many miles did you drive on the previous oil and how low had the oil level gotten during the previous oil change interval?
I have a 2003 cavalier with 2 .2 ecotec engine. . It started knocking real bad yeaterday, I checked the oil and it is full infact I just had the oil changed last tuesday...
Two questions: How many miles did you drive on the previous oil and how low had the oil level gotten during the previous oil change interval?
What about rpm's on motor recently? Any "Fast and Furious" driving?
Wow ..... thank you everyone for your thoughts and suggestions! ! My mechanic is an "old" one
I am no longer driving the car just trying to decide what is best option at this point... I did NOT see the people change my oil last week so im not sure about what they did... I put 600 miles on it since the oil change before this happened.. along with the knocking it sounds like metal hitting metal when acceleration ... im thinking at this point im gonna cut my losses and sell the car
No fast and furious driving
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