1994 Saturn SL2 Weird Knocking

JUSTINPFAFFLY

MEMBER
1994 SATURN SL2
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
200,000 MILES

When my car is idleing, it has this really weird knocking sound. It sounds like a cylinder but I haven't seen any leaking fluids.

Monday, June 14th, 2010 AT 12:41 AM

5 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Does the knocking noise get louder and faster when the rpm's go up?Or can you only hear it at idle?Let me know.

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Monday, June 14th, 2010 AT 12:44 AM

JUSTINPFAFFLY

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Its only when the engine is idleing. It is a sort of "soft" knock if that makes sense. Right when I start her up, she starts just fine, but when it goes back down to about 800 RPMs (idleing RPM), it knocks. Its a "click, click, click." I checked the spark plugs and none of them have oil on them so thats a REALLY good sign. I don't know if this would do it but about 2 or 3 months ago, I put oil in my car and I forgot to put the cap back on and I drove it a total of 60 miles without knowing. It hasn't done it for too long. Only about a month at the most.

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Monday, June 14th, 2010 AT 10:10 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Have you looked at night to see if you can see sparks comming from the coil are or plug wire's?Also can hear this noise inside the car and under the hood. Does it make it when it's warmed up too?Did you check and make sure your oil isn't low?

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Monday, June 14th, 2010 AT 2:49 PM

JUSTINPFAFFLY

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I haven't looked at night. I got new spark plugs and wires in November, I couldn't imagine them being shot yet.

If I poke out my head when my car is idling, I can hear it. I can't hear it at all in the passenger compartment.

It always makes that knock. Warmed up or otherwise.

And my oil isn't low. I could use a tune-up though. Think maybe that could help?

And thanks for the reply's. I fix dents and paint cars, not any mechanical work to speak of.

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Monday, June 14th, 2010 AT 5:10 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

I don't think a tune up is going to help your noise. Your going to have to get a long screw driver and put it in different area's of the engine compartment and put the screw driver up to your ear to track the noise down. Let me know what you find.