Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

Short answer, yes removing the cover will not make the sound go away.

poltergeist 02

iTrader: (65)

Does it sound like this?

HerHawk

My car doesn't sound like this though. This video is more of a ting ting ting sound. Mine is horrible clunking sound.

I just wish we knew what was up.
Flexplate and flywheel are ok.

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

Every engine problem sounds a little different than another engine with the same problem. The flexplate is just one possibility. You need to hold that valve cover in place and see if something is pushing it off.

Yeah, these situations can stump ya.

RockinWs6

I'm going to give you my OVER the net not easy to diagnosis opinion where to start.

Have someone check the intake bolts, see if they are loose..if they are and it rained just before all this happened its a safe bet you have internal engine damage. You will need a good mechanic to help you from here.

ALSO Is it possible you are hearing a brokem AIR check valve? That sits right over the valve cover. They can make a hell of a racket if the insides break off.

poltergeist 02

iTrader: (65)

A vid would really help us.

How about this???

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

From post number one:

Did it rain on the two days it sat (Saturday and Sunday)? If yes, was the car parked outside in the rain?

HerHawk

The car is not driven in the rain, and no, it was not exposed to rain in months, since we owned it.

When we wash it, only a light shower spray is used.

Granted, we have only had this car since May, so we don't know the conditions that it was exposed to prior to us owning the car. The car originated from KY, and then we bought it from MS.

If, water did get into the manifold, wouldn't these sounds, or damage have happened way before us getting the car?

My husband did not look at the car yesterday, so we will have to wait on the replacing the valve cover with just placing it on and see if it makes that sound again.

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

OK, this eliminates the water seepage from the cowl through the intake manifold gaskets. It's not something that can happen days/weeks/months after exposure to rain.

Yes, if this happened before you got the vehicle, it would've damaged the engine at that time, well before you bought it.

Moving on...

The current theories are:

-Flexplate is cracked;
-Valvetrain is hitting something in the rocker cover;
-A.I.R. check valve.

Anything else people?

macknmikey

iTrader: (14)

i had this sound after changing my torque converter, new arp bolts were a little to big and the bolt heads wouldn't clear the block

Roarin_8

iTrader: (5)

11SECSS

iTrader: (199)

I agree it prob a cracked flexplate ,you could also remove all plugs and with some help have someone turn the motor over by hand or use the key switch while with you finger in spark plug hole to see if they all are building compression. This way you eliminate the chance or a broken rod from being hydro locked. Just my opinion here. Hope you get it fixed.

HerHawk

Ok, update:

Valve cover was put back on by hand, not bolted down, and no clunking sound.

I guess next would be to remove the spark plugs.

Thank you all for your advice. Just going step by step trying to find out why it is making this sound.

I'm wondering what would happen when the valve cover is bolted back down in place?? hmmmmmmmm

Roarin_8

iTrader: (5)

Check post 26 on page 2, click on the first image and you will hear the sound.

HerHawk

Roarin 8, that's my car.

Maybe the valve cover needs to sit differently? Heck, I don't know anymore. So aggravated by all of this.
I'm about to just sell this car and be done with it, and be at a major loss with it.

Roarin_8

iTrader: (5)

Yes I know he was asking if you had a vid.

Your car only makes the noise with the valve cover on?

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

That's your car?

HUH, I'd also have a hard look at the harmonic balancer.

Let's confirm something: The banging sound ONLY happens when the valve cover is bolted down? Is this consistent? It ALWAYS bangs with the valve cover bolted down?

Roarin_8

iTrader: (5)

I'll repost her vids again:

Valve cover on

http://s256.photobucket.com/user/tyl...b9b44.mp4.html

Valve cover off

http://s256.photobucket.com/user/tyl...4b023.mp4.html

ChevyOwner

I agree that it would be a good idea to check the flexplate.

This DOES not apply here, but it does give a good example of why checking the flexplate is a good idea.
About 10 years ago my dad and I were trying to get his 71 GMC K10 with a 350 drivable, and a friend said to adjust the valves. That did not change anything. Next he said it was a spun rod bearing, and the engine needed a rebuild. When I was just starting to pull the engine and removed the sheet metal clutch inspection cover. I noticed that the cover was bent at the spot by the crankshaft, I started the engine and the 'rod' knock was gone. The truck has ran 'knock free after that. The only thing need to fix it was bending that sheet metal cover back into shape and putting it back on.

The point of that is that it can be very hard to guess what a problem is even when standing next to the vehicle with the problem.

HerHawk

Yes, it seems when the valve cover is bolted down, it makes that noise/clunking.

BUT there is no signs of chips, dents etc. on the valve cover.

Is the flex plate and flywheel two different things?
I saw the flywheel and that was good.
The shim for the starter was good too.