This may or may not be of any consolation for those of you worried about exploding engines, but my last car, a '99 Mystique LS (V6, 5spd) developed a loud clattering noise right after I almost stalled out at a red light by (cough) forgetting to put in the clutch. I pulled over ASAP and shut it off. Didn't know what else to do so I started it up again. Drove it for a few weeks, while the noise gradually went away.
Then one day it got louder again. Got scared. Took it to 3 shops. "Your crankshaft!" one said. "It's definitely coming from the valves," said another. I liked the valve idea best. Spent 600 having them replace lash adjusters on rear bank.
$600 later, I still had the same noise. I decided to live with it. I drove it for maybe 5,000 miles with the mystery noise that virtually disappeared once normal operating temp was reached.
Now I'll never know if it was going to blow up or not, because I got creamed by someone running a red light! It's cool, though, 'cuz the insurance people teamed up with my savings, and I got an SVT out of the deal. Hope you all have enjoyed my little story.
I'm poorer but faster! Fair trade.
