1993 Saturn SL2 Loud knocking Engine

DJCORNETT

MEMBER
1993 SATURN SL2
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
100,000 MILES

Car hasnt been driven for 2 years. Was running fine when parked. Took to shop and there's a loud knocking in the engine that doesn't stop. They want to put in a new engine (cost $1500.00) Are there other things that it coud be? Would it be more cost effective to just put the in a new engine?

5 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

Start the engine up while it's knocking take one plug wire off the spark plug at a time then put it back on. If the noise stop's then you have the knocking coming from the bottom end. If that's the case the most cost effective repair would be to replace the engine.

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Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 AT 3:32 PM

XTREMEMODIFIER

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29 POSTS

My guess. You didn't drain the fuel/use stabil, and the fuel broke down in the tank. Next time you store a car that long, use stabil, and ask around for other recommendations as far as what to do to prevent damage.

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Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 AT 6:29 PM

DJCORNETT

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So, if the noise doesn't stop and it isn't from the bottom end what would that mean if not a new engine?

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Thursday, October 21st, 2010 AT 10:07 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

If it doesn't stop from pulling off the spark plug wire's it's most likely not from the bottom end of the engine. Then you would have to take a long screwdriver and place it around different part's of the engine and listen to where it's coming from and go from there.

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Thursday, October 21st, 2010 AT 10:48 AM

XTREMEMODIFIER

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29 POSTS

So, if the noise doesn't stop and it isn't from the bottom end what would that mean if not a new engine?[/Quote:ddaf86a783]

Could be knock on all cylinders, or coming from another internal engine component. Might not, but I'm still betting on engine knock.