SPONSORED LINKS

Engine knock?

Tiny
CST843
  • MEMBER
  • 2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE
  • 106,000 MILES
I just replaced my head gasket and when I started car I'm hearing a loud knocking that gets faster as I rev the engine.
Tuesday, November 15th, 2022 AT 11:38 AM

18 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

Did this just start since the head gasket repair? Is the engine oil full and not contaminated with coolant?

Does the sound seem to be more at the top of the engine or the bottom? Can you record it and upload it for me to hear?

Let me know. In the interim, take a look through this link and let me know if anything mirrors what you are experiencing:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-noises

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, November 15th, 2022 AT 9:24 PM
Tiny
CST843
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Yes, just started after head gasket replace, it gets faster with rise in RPMs. Could it be the timing? It sounds like it’s toward the back of engine where intake is located.
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, November 16th, 2022 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

It sounds like a lifter. By chance, did you have the camshafts removed? Also, I need to know the engine size.

The sound, as I mentioned, sounds like a mechanical issue with a lifter or rocker arm. That's why I asked about the camshaft. As far as timing, other than the noise, it seems to run smoothly which would indicate the timing is correct. So, let me know the engine size, if anything was done with the camshafts, and (don't laugh) if you had any issues with the exhaust manifold install. Believe it or not, a leak can sound very similar to this, but my first thought is mechanical.

Let me know.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, November 16th, 2022 AT 8:42 PM
Tiny
CST843
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
I loosened and turned the cams to do the timing. The engine is a 1.4 turbo with hydraulic lifters.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, November 16th, 2022 AT 11:01 PM
Tiny
CST843
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Would something I did cause the lifter to go bad or make that noise?
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 1:51 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

When you tightened the camshaft bearing caps, how was it done? Believe it or not, they are all to be tightened hand tight and then in a specific sequence tightened one turn at a time until 71 Inch Pounds is reached. Is that what was done? Did you possibly overtighten them? People oftentimes don't realize there is a big difference between inch and foot pounds and over-tighten them.

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 4:48 PM
Tiny
CST843
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
If it is just that I have to replace the lifters, do I have to replace them all on that side or just the one that failed?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 4:49 PM
Tiny
CST843
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
I moved the piston down loosened the cam sprockets and was able to turn them to time, didn’t say to loosen anything else didn’t touch the cam bearings caps.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 5:01 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

I don't think it is a lifter issue at this point. They are hydraulic and should accommodate slight movements. When you tightened the cams, did you follow the aforementioned procedures or something similar? Could you have over or under-tightened them?

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 5:02 PM
Tiny
CST843
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Reading through I tightened the cam sprockets to 37ftlbs but didn’t the extra 60 degrees. Don’t know how I missed that. Could that be something?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 5:13 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

I don't think that is causing the noise, but it would be a good idea to redo them. I was referring to the camshafts. Were they removed?

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 8:35 PM
Tiny
CST843
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
No, never removed. It shows to loosen cam sprockets all the way and take out the sprocket bolts to remove the head... When you reinstall since the slack is on timing chain you can turn the cams to time without loosening anything else?
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 11:46 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Okay, that is a good thing. LOL I was thinking the cams were removed.

Since this noise started after the repairs, recheck the cam sprockets to make sure nothing is loose. That is the one thing that is different than what was required.

It is running smooth other than the noise, correct? It appeared to be in the video, but I just want to confirm.

Let me know.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, November 18th, 2022 AT 6:47 PM
Tiny
CST843
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Hey sorry it took so long to respond I had Covid. I fixed the timing, and the noise is gone but it’s still getting coolant on top of my number 1 piston. I think I might have a crack in one of the ports in the head.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, December 11th, 2022 AT 7:48 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

It is possibly a crack, or the head is warped. You can have the head checked using magnaflux, but that requires it to be removed. Have you noticed white smoke from the exhaust? Are you getting a misfire code for cylinder 1?

Let me know.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, December 11th, 2022 AT 9:10 PM
Tiny
CST843
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
No symptoms at all just the wet piston top in cylinder 1... I’ve been checking it with my scanner... Car actually runs good. I can buy a new cylinder head from Rock auto for 1077 shipped I’ll probably go that route.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 12th, 2022 AT 8:36 AM
Tiny
CST843
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
No symptoms at all just the wet piston top in cylinder 1... I’ve been checking it with my scanner... Car actually runs good.I can buy a new cylinder head from Rock auto for 1077 shipped I’ll probably go that route
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 12th, 2022 AT 8:36 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
I would have the head tested first. That is a lot of money and I'm not sure if it is complete or if you need to switch parts to it.

Regardless, let me know what you decide and what I can do to help.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 12th, 2022 AT 7:27 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Knock Content

Engine Knock - Ping
GUIDE
Engine Knock - Ping
An automotive engine knock, and engine "ping" are two different things so it can be a bit confusing, here is an explanation to help avoid confusion when reading ...

Sponsored links