1998 Hyundai Accent There is a piece of metal loose in the

Tiny
LORLEANS
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 HYUNDAI ACCENT
Engine Mechanical problem
1998 Hyundai Accent Automatic 64000 miles

Hello,

I just bought this car that had been sitting for a year without being driven. I had my mechanic check it out, but it did not have a battery in it until today. Other than needing some TLC, it seems to be in good shape for its' age.

Anyway, I put a battery in it today, and I went to start it up, and I heard a loud ticking. Now, I figured it needs some oil, and after checking the dip stick and seeing that it was low (and yukky, but I needed to add some to take it in for an oil change), I opened the cap on the valve cover. I was surprised to see a curved piece of loose metal inside! It is kind of the shape of an orange peel, only thinner. Can anyone tell me what this might be? Did something break off inside, or did someone maybe drop something in it?

I'm afraid to drive it until I know what it is.
Sunday, December 13th, 2009 AT 10:02 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
HI there this may be part of the oil baffle in the rocker cover, take off the rocker cover and look at the under side check the baffle is not fractured.
Mark (mhpautos)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 14th, 2009 AT 1:57 AM
Tiny
LORLEANS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for the quick response, Mark. I have to ask, though, if this might get caught in something and cause the engine to lock up? I have someone coming by tomorrow to look at it, but can I drive it until then? If it is the baffle, what harm is being done to the engine with it being broken? Is the oil being misdirected into another area? How much (ballpark) should the repair cost? Thanks for your help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 14th, 2009 AT 11:35 AM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
HI there, if it is a part of a baffle it wont be a problem, depending on the size of it, it just may stay sitting there, it well may have been sitting there for some time, I don't think that it will cause a great deal of harm to dive, but I would still get it checked ASAP, as we still are not 100% sure what it is.

Mark
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 14th, 2009 AT 3:17 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links