Need Help.......Rockers Knocking?

[97camRS]

For the past month or so I've noticed a slight knocking coming from underneath the valve covers. It's not really noticeable inside the car, but when you pop the hood it's noticeable. Would this be the Rockers? or maybe something else. I am due for an oil change which I'm gonna do Saturday, I'm at about 3,300 miles since my last oil change. Also with the higher temperatures outside and Jacksonville and Orange Park traffic my temp. has been staying around 200-210 degrees. For those that don't know I have a 97 Camaro 3.8 and I just hit 60,000 miles. Any help or suggestions on what it could be is greatly appreciated.

[Shadly]

If you've never had your valve covers off, don't start now. There is some solvent type stuff you can get at your local auto parts store specifically designed for sticky lifters. If that doesn't help, you will have to replace lifters. :mad:

[97camRS]

I don't have the necessary tools or place to do any kind of work to my car. I'd have to depend on someone else, probably my cousin since he knows someone with a shop. But I don't wanna pay someone to replace them. Maybe I'll just have him do it.

[Shadly]

Try the chemical remedy first. You just pour it into your crankcase. Just do something! Any play in your valve system will cause excessive wear.

[97camRS]

What's the name of the stuff? or just look for something to solve the sticky lifters?

[Shadly]

There are lots of choices. It just depends on what you like. Marvel's Mystery Oil and STP come to mind. Just look in the additives section. It will be written on the front of the package.

[97camRS]

Thanks. I'll try that when I change the oil.

[Dominic]

Its probably nothing to worry about, so long that it isnt loud enough to hear inside the car or outside with the hood down.

Valves make noise man - just let them make their noise [img]smile.gif[/img] Don't put additives in the oil either - none of that stuff is worth a damn...

http://www.geocities.com/chrislonghu...oil_bible.html

[Shadly]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by TheCardinal:
Valves make noise man - just let them make their noise [img]smile.gif[/img] Don't put additives in the oil either - none of that stuff is worth a damn...<hr></blockquote>

Wait a minute... Valves should only make a very little noise. If there is a tapping noise, it means you have a stuck lifter or worse. I would suppose an oil puritan would just change the oil and forget about the noise. Contrary to popular belief, quite a few oil additives do work. If you go to ANY auto shop or parts department at a car dealership, you will find oil additives. I agree with that website. I hate teflon also, but this is a different issue altogether. He is trying to unstick a stuck lifter. The only way I know of to do this (short of pulling the valve covers and intake) is solvent. Do you have a better way to do this?

[jrcamaro96]

I used the STP formula and it quited mine down quite a bit. Just make sure you don't drive your car while it's in the engine or it will destroy you main bearings.

JR

[mr_man]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by TheCardinal:
Its probably nothing to worry about, so long that it isnt loud enough to hear inside the car or outside with the hood down.

Valves make noise man - just let them make their noise [img]smile.gif[/img] Don't put additives in the oil either - none of that stuff is worth a damn...

http://www.geocities.com/chrislonghu...oil_bible.html<hr></blockquote>

what if you can hear it on the inside? i seem to have this problem, but i can hear it even on the inside of my car. It's not as noticable when my engines warm, but when it's cold, it's very loud.

[Shadly]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by mr_man:

It's not as noticable when my engines warm, but when it's cold, it's very loud.<hr></blockquote>

If it goes away when it's warm, you're probably just using the wrong viscosity oil. Your manual calls for 5-30, but Wisconsin can be a pretty cold place.

[WickEdSix9838]

I agree with cardinal, just let them make their noise, you will never get rid of that noise even with all the BS additives...dont worry about it...

[97camRS]

I do have a warranty on my car that might cover it if it's something like lifters, My wife's car a 97 cavalier has been knocking for over a year now with no problems. It doesn't lose oil between changes or anything and the engines got 100K miles on it. When we first got her car we took it to a well known mechanic around town and he said he could change the rockers (which were knocking) for $500 but he suggested not doing that. He said the car would run fine and the knocking wouldn't decrease engine life, etc. Her's is annoying at times but it hasn't caused any problems. I just don't want mine to get as loud as hers.....

[AZ3.8Camaro]

My car knocks, my dad said its nothing to worry about (he's a mechanic), its not to loud and you can only mostly hear it when you give it some gas. He said maybe try an additive, but its not a big deal. like cardinal said.