Is my engine bad?

[Sticky]

Since I've had my car my motors always sounded odd. I never thought anything of it, but lately people are telling me it sounds bad. The only way I can think to describe it is like something is loose. I'm just curious as to whether or not this is a sign that my motor is going bad...

[vanbibber]

by loose what do you mean? the more info you can give us the better we can help. also which engine?

[Sticky]

3.8...it's like a rattling sound. I really wish I had a mic so i could record it.

[camaroincal]

do you have an SES light? How many miles are on your car?

[Silver 99 Camaro]

Mine rattled because the AC compressor was shot. You need to look around and listen real well for where the noise is coming from. It could be anything.

[Gallstaff]

I have some funny noises coming from my car too... sounds kind of like a low-pressure air compressor running whenever the car is going.

I don't really think its a big deal especially since my car has 69000 miles already. If it's not a big problem I would have it checked out just to be safe but dont worry about it.

[Sticky]

No SES light. It does it whether or not the AC is on.

[Silver 99 Camaro]

My AC compressor rattled whether the AC was on or off too. Don't rule anything out...get in there and check things out. No one can help you find a noise unless you figure out where it is coming from.

[camaroincal]

Make sure you don't have any burnt fuses as if the fuse running your SES light is burned out that may be why you have no light. It sounds serious enough that you should be getting a warning light of some kind. I would get it scanned just for kicks..

[Sticky]

i'll check the fuses tommorow. I'll try and figure out if it's the AC Compressor or not too. The SES light fuse may have gone out actually, it didn't come on earlier this year (Jan.) when one of my Ignition coils went out. I'll look into it tommorow if I have the time or Thursday (since it's my day off from work).

[Silver 99 Camaro]

Just to clarify, don't just look at the AC compressor. That was just my example. Listen all over the engine to see if you can pinpoint at least the general area where the noise is coming from. That will narrow it down and rule out some components. If it's a rattle, make sure you check the heat shields on the exhaust, and look for anything else that might be loose.

[shock_core]

make sure its not a bad cat! those rattle like coins in a jar when they are broken/shot

[loser]

^^ or the heat sheild could be loose, but he said the engine sounds bad. if the rattle is right under the passenger side seat area its more than likely the cat or heat shield.

[Savage_Messiah]

I have the same problem... 12secondv6 can attest to this. Sorta sounds like a dry rattle coming from the belt area

[Earnhardt132000]

Can you see your SES light when you put the key foward? If so, the fuse isn't burnt (unless there is a fuse that tells the light to come on when there is a problem).

My car knocks like crazy, but it should for having 175,000 miles on it. How many miles does the motor have on it?

[ June 08, 2005, 09:37 PM: Message edited by: Earnhardt132000 ]