I bought this 1982 Firebird S/E at 109,000 miles from a dealer, I had it checked really good, and it has been a good car, runs good. Right now at 113,000 miles. I got the oil changed at 112,700 and since then a few miles after getting it changed iv noticed it knocks sometimes, when i open up the hood and listen, its coming from the front left facing the car. Any ideas on what I should do? It drives fine, but i am worried about what will happen.

 

MM,

Welcome aboard!

A little more information might be helpful. What engine does the car have? What oil did you use for refilling the case? Is there a particular time the noise is most apparent, like after it is warmed, when cold, idleing, cruising at highway speeds, etc?

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Later,
Vader
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"Let the bodies hit the floor!"
Adobe Acrobat Reader

 

it's a V6 2.8L, used 10w30 oil. it knocks when its been warm for a while. usually at slow speeds, cant hear it at highway speeds but i'm sure its there. even at idle it knocks msot of the time.

 

Hmmm.....

Could this be a case of muckem-puckem(sp?)?

I have a friend who's been a car dealer for over ten years.
One of those buy here pay here dealers.

When he first got started and was not as honest as he is now......
He told me about a trick car dealers use to quiet a noisy engine.
He called it muckem-puckem could have been a dealership slang.

Anyway....
If he bought a car from auction and it had a rod knock, spun bearing, sticky valves, etc....
He would put something similar to motor honey in the crankcase to quite the engine. Even put gear oil in a few engines. I know he used 90 weight on several occassions.

As soon as you do the first oil change, Whammo! New noises begin to come alive.

What is the reputation of the dealer you bought it from??

I'm not saying every buy here pay here dealership is this way, but there are crooks still out there.

 

The dealer were pretty upfront with me when i bought it. But how much would it be to fix this type of thing? or is it possible for me to do it?

 

Fixing it depends on what's wrong with it.

Is is a knock or more like a tap?

If it's a tap then it could have something to do with the valves.
If it's a knock then it might have something to do with the bottom end.

There are several things you can do to find out what the problem is.

1) While barefooted, start the car and gently press on the gas pedal and rev the engine gently to around 2,000 rpm. Do you feel the "knock" through the gas pedal?

2) Start the car and just let it idle. While at idle, take a very long screwdriver and place the metal end ontop of the valve cover where you hear the noise. Now lean over and place your ear on the handle of the screwdriver. Do you hear a LOUD tap? You should hear some tapping which is normal. Move the screwdriver over about 2 to 3" and listen to the next valve. Is is as loud as the first?

3) run a compression check. This requires the right tools and may need to be done by a mechanic.

 

at 2000 rpm the gas pedal does not move. and it is a tapping coming from the front left facing the front of the car. i took the casing part that covers the valves off to look at the valvs and the gasket between the case and the rest fo the engine broke all apart and was crumbeling. does that have anything to do with the noise? well, i know its a tapping something with the valve?

 

Ok,
You've got the valve cover off and you're pretty confident that it might be a valve noise.

At this point you're gonna need new valve cover gaskets.

I strongly suggest you head down to the auto parts store and buy those gaskets and pick up a haynes manual for 82-92 camaros.

I'm kinda thinking the problem might be.
1) Sticky Valve
2) clogged valve stem
3) loose rocker arm or valve lash

If you get this Haynes manual it will tell you on page 81 how to make adjustments for a valve lash or loose rocker arm.

Or perhaps Vader can come up with a visual aid.




[This message has been edited by sunbitz (edited August 18, 2001).]

 

i have the chiltons manual.. for 82- firebird/camaro will that work? im pretty sure its the rocker arm or #3 you listed.

 

Ahh, Chiltons book! OK.

Turn to section 2-36 under the engine performance and tune-up portion of the manual.

Follow the instructions for valve lash and see if it helps or might be the problem.

When adjusting the rocker arms remember to give very small 1/8" turns. You don't need much to adjust valves!

Remember also that if you do this with the engine running there will be oil squirting and you'll have to check your oil level after the adjustments are made.

Good luck! And I hope this is the problem. This is all I can think of, so from here on out you're on your own or maybe someone else can help.

Let us know what happens.

I'll be back on here either later today or tomorrow.

Happy trouble shooting.

 

You have one of these:



And you think the noise is coming from one of these:



You may need to relash them. If one is sticking, you may want to loosen the offending rocker several turns to allow the lifter to fully pump up with oil. This will hopefully unstick it and clean out any varnish rings or deposits that may stick it again. Then lash it to the correct number of turns past the zero lash point (1-1/2 turns on the 173 V-6).

------------------
Later,
Vader
------------------
"Get UP - Drop the bombshell!"
Adobe Acrobat Reader

 

i replaced the gasket, and turned it a little, and i can barely hear it now.. sounds pretty good, a thicker oil and it would be good to go. thanks for all help.

 

Hey, glad to hear that was the problem and you got it under control.

And Vader thanks for providing the visuals!!! You da man!