Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting another bad engine sound

Hi,
It seems there have been a lot of posts lately with bad engine noises. I did a search on the Forum Archives and found even more.
I will add my description to the mix, if it sounds familar please let me know.
1998 CSVT 2.5L, loud clacking or knocking type noise seems to be comming from passenger side of the back valve cover. Very difficult to pin point noise, at times it seems to be comming from front valve cover too. It almost seemed like something was smacking against the valve cover. The noise is engine rpm related and does it during idle and driving.

I pulled the intake and front valve cover ( so far ) and everything seems normal. I have my wife turn the engine over and the noise seems to be hollow and thumping now.
My plans are to keep tearing things apart until I can find something obviously broken. The noise is so loud I would expect it to be obvious once I find it.


Thanks in advance,
Marty

hate to say this but that is almost for sure a spun bearing that is causing low end rod knock, your description is almost perfect of it. if you are going to keep the car you have some options, the first one is a new/used 2.5(not worth it IMHO) second is a new/used 3L(worth it, and costs about the same)

if you must now get ride of the car, i am sorry to be the bringer of bad news, aslo if you plan to get ride of the car PM me so we can talk about me getting it

I have been thinking rod knock also, or maybe a lifter problem. Either way I figure the engine needs to come out to make these repairs.
I would assume that the best way to accomplish this is to drop the engine cradle? I have already taken most of the upper stuff off. I am familiar with this type of removal,but does anyone know of anything to look out for or any tricks.

Thanks again in advance,
Marty


I lean toward keeping the 2.5L, if parts are available to repair.