Yeah, I did end up changing it myself. No biggie, I just never had the ramps or oil drain pan so I would just take it in to have it done. But now that I've gone out and bought the necessary hardware... Anyways, I just got off the phone with a mechanic who thinks it could be either the timing chain guide that has broken off making the noise, or that my oil pump has failed. I haven't had the oil light turn on though. Not even a flicker, not even once. Wouldn't that pretty much rule out the oil not making it up to the top of the engine? If there is a chance that my oil pump has failed, should I not drive it to the shop and just pay to have it towed. The shop is about ten minutes from my home. Oh the agony.
Edit: The lifter sounds like a logical culprit. Is there an easy way to check this without taking it into a shop?...Something I can replace myself?
