Engine Knock....MAYBE?

[MercOut]

Just picked up the car from Zack about three weeks and its been running great. Haven't done anything to the car except pushing it hard ONCE(137mph) but for the past week i've noticed a sweaky/knock sound(around the belt region) from the engine while idling and in first gear. After it hits 2nd gear it goes away. I do need to get a oil change in a couple hundred miles. Just wondering if i need to worry about this or not. Also, the tune that Zack customized seems to have softer shifts sometimes.

Thanks for the help.
Malcolm

[OneBADLsE]

Just as an FYI, the softer shifts could be a direct result of hard driving...

Just my .02

[fastcar]

What kind of work was done?

Any noise like that is something to be concerned about.

I'm starting to suffer badly with the Blue Start Syndrome and associated tapping/ticking noise. I had no idea these cars had this problem when I picked mine up. It's getting louder and bluer the more I drive (race) it. :mad:

fastcar :burnout:

P.S. going racing tomorrow:P

[MercOut]

can't remember the whole list of things done but
Timing Cover
Tune
Cobra exhaust
4.10 gears
and Some Other stuff

It sounds to me like a belt but I don't know much about cars yet

[KillJoy]

Have you called Zack?

KillJoy

[fastblackmerc]

Might be the belt tensioner.

[MercOut]

Might be the belt tensioner.

Thats what I've been thinking. Just wanted to get ya'lls opinion


Have you called Zack?

No, I don't want to call him everytime i have a problem

KillJoy

[Zack]

you can call me anytime, just like Andrew can (he bought the last MM I had for sale).

It can be anything, but I highly doubt its an engine knock.

I cant even speculate unless I heard it or had a better description of the noise.

[MercOut]

Everybody is saying its the belt tensioner...
I guess that will fix the problem

How much are those?

[RedMerc04]

What kind of work was done?

Any noise like that is something to be concerned about.

I'm starting to suffer badly with the Blue Start Syndrome and associated tapping/ticking noise. I had no idea these cars had this problem when I picked mine up. It's getting louder and bluer the more I drive (race) it. :mad:

fastcar :burnout:

P.S. going racing tomorrow:P
What kind of oil do you use? I used to smoke at startup nearly every other cold start or so, I switched to pennzoil platnum and not a puff since i started using it in march... Give it a try :beer:

[MarauderSM]

Since the cars have knock sensor's, is the timing retard when a knock is sensed?

[Zack]

Malcolm, your car has a tensioner from a 98 cobra, remember that.
There is the aluminum version (which you have) and the super strong steel version (highly recommended for boost, not needed for NA)

[MercOut]

What kind of oil do you use? I used to smoke at startup nearly every other cold start or so, I switched to pennzoil platnum and not a puff since i started using it in march... Give it a try :beer:

Haven't done an oil change in the car yet. I have to ask Zack what he used


Since the cars have knock sensor's, is the timing retard when a knock is sensed?

I don't know but i think i've narrowed the problem down to being the belt


Malcolm, your car has a tensioner from a 98 cobra, remember that.
There is the aluminum version (which you have) and the super strong steel version (highly recommended for boost, not needed for NA)

So I'm guessing i can pick up the belt at any advancedautoparts and be on my way? I hope thats what that sound is

[KillJoy]

You think the BELT is making the knocking sound????

Interested to see the resolution of this problem.

KillJoy

[LILALLEYKATT]

Remove the belt, Start the car, Listen for your noise.

[MercOut]

I posted a thread if there is anyone in the greensboro area that can help me out....Its a tapping noice

Somone said its because my oil is thinning or its my idler pulley...I still don't know

[RF Overlord]

While it's true that some oils do transmit more noise when used in some engines (Mobil 1 is infamous for that), it's not because they "thin out", unless you're using really crap oil. A quality oil like Motorcraft 5W-20 should be fine for up to 5,000 miles, and any good synthetic won't have a thinning issue in the first place.

[Zack]

There is 5w-30 Valvoline in the car now Malcolm.
Use whatever you like.

[MercOut]

There is 5w-30 Valvoline in the car now Malcolm.
Use whatever you like.

I'll stick with using that and since RF Overlord said good oil usually doesn't thin out then im guessing its a pulley....i have to figure out which one it is now

[Marauderjack]

While it's true that some oils do transmit more noise when used in some engines (Mobil 1 is infamous for that), it's not because they "thin out", unless you're using really crap oil. A quality oil like Motorcraft 5W-20 should be fine for up to 5,000 miles, and any good synthetic won't have a thinning issue in the first place.

Why would Mobil I transmit more noise than other synthetics RF???:confused:

Someone stated somewhere that Pennzoil Platinum was a "Quiet" oil....What's up with Noisy & Quiet oils???:cool:

[MercOut]

Just started up the car today and the noise has gotten worst. Its louder and more constant but gets a little bit quietter once its gets in 2nd/3rd gear. Im having Butch look at it tuesday to see what he thinks. Im thinking its either one of the pulleys or its making a knocking noise due to the oil thinning. IM HOPING ITS NOTHING MAJOR:confused:

SORRY ZACK:(

[fastcar]

What kind of oil do you use? I used to smoke at startup nearly every other cold start or so, I switched to pennzoil platnum and not a puff since i started using it in march... Give it a try :beer:

Thanks for the suggestion. I need to use synthetic for maximum power.

fastcar:burnout:

[PVan96]

Ive been noticing the same noise with my car. ITs not quite a KNOCK so to say, but a very slight tapping, Im thinking its the alternator pulley or the infamous belt tensioner like was mentioned ^^.

Im gonna throw it on the lift and do a complete once over when I get off work monday.

[hot-rauder]

Ive been noticing the same noise with my car. ITs not quite a KNOCK so to say, but a very slight tapping, Im thinking its the alternator pulley or the infamous belt tensioner like was mentioned ^^.

Im gonna throw it on the lift and do a complete once over when I get off work monday.


my tapping noise blew my motor;)

If your worried get it serviced.


OLD THREAD ALERT!!!

[jgc61sr2002]

Just started up the car today and the noise has gotten worst. Its louder and more constant but gets a little bit quietter once its gets in 2nd/3rd gear. Im having Butch look at it tuesday to see what he thinks. Im thinking its either one of the pulleys or its making a knocking noise due to the oil thinning. IM HOPING ITS NOTHING MAJOR:confused:

SORRY ZACK:(

I would
Take the belt off and start it up.
No noise = Belt tensioner.
Just my 2 cents

Good Luck

[Blackened300a]

Ive been noticing the same noise with my car. ITs not quite a KNOCK so to say, but a very slight tapping, Im thinking its the alternator pulley or the infamous belt tensioner like was mentioned

These cars do give off a slight ticking noise. I have it and it hasnt affected my performance any.