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Engine knock?

Tiny
CST843
  • MEMBER
  • 2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE
  • 106,000 MILES
I just replaced my head gasket and when I started car I'm hearing a loud knocking that gets faster as I rev the engine.
Tuesday, November 15th, 2022 AT 11:38 AM

18 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,192 POSTS
Hi,

Did this just start since the head gasket repair? Is the engine oil full and not contaminated with coolant?

Does the sound seem to be more at the top of the engine or the bottom? Can you record it and upload it for me to hear?

Let me know. In the interim, take a look through this link and let me know if anything mirrors what you are experiencing:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-noises

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, November 15th, 2022 AT 9:24 PM
Tiny
CST843
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Yes, just started after head gasket replace, it gets faster with rise in RPMs. Could it be the timing? It sounds like it’s toward the back of engine where intake is located.
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Wednesday, November 16th, 2022 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

It sounds like a lifter. By chance, did you have the camshafts removed? Also, I need to know the engine size.

The sound, as I mentioned, sounds like a mechanical issue with a lifter or rocker arm. That's why I asked about the camshaft. As far as timing, other than the noise, it seems to run smoothly which would indicate the timing is correct. So, let me know the engine size, if anything was done with the camshafts, and (don't laugh) if you had any issues with the exhaust manifold install. Believe it or not, a leak can sound very similar to this, but my first thought is mechanical.

Let me know.

Joe
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+1
Wednesday, November 16th, 2022 AT 8:42 PM
Tiny
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I loosened and turned the cams to do the timing. The engine is a 1.4 turbo with hydraulic lifters.
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Wednesday, November 16th, 2022 AT 11:01 PM
Tiny
CST843
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Would something I did cause the lifter to go bad or make that noise?
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Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 1:51 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

When you tightened the camshaft bearing caps, how was it done? Believe it or not, they are all to be tightened hand tight and then in a specific sequence tightened one turn at a time until 71 Inch Pounds is reached. Is that what was done? Did you possibly overtighten them? People oftentimes don't realize there is a big difference between inch and foot pounds and over-tighten them.

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 4:48 PM
Tiny
CST843
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If it is just that I have to replace the lifters, do I have to replace them all on that side or just the one that failed?
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Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 4:49 PM
Tiny
CST843
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I moved the piston down loosened the cam sprockets and was able to turn them to time, didn’t say to loosen anything else didn’t touch the cam bearings caps.
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Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 5:01 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

I don't think it is a lifter issue at this point. They are hydraulic and should accommodate slight movements. When you tightened the cams, did you follow the aforementioned procedures or something similar? Could you have over or under-tightened them?

Joe
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Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 5:02 PM
Tiny
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Reading through I tightened the cam sprockets to 37ftlbs but didn’t the extra 60 degrees. Don’t know how I missed that. Could that be something?
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Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 5:13 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

I don't think that is causing the noise, but it would be a good idea to redo them. I was referring to the camshafts. Were they removed?

Joe
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Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 8:35 PM
Tiny
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No, never removed. It shows to loosen cam sprockets all the way and take out the sprocket bolts to remove the head... When you reinstall since the slack is on timing chain you can turn the cams to time without loosening anything else?
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Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 11:46 PM
Tiny
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Okay, that is a good thing. LOL I was thinking the cams were removed.

Since this noise started after the repairs, recheck the cam sprockets to make sure nothing is loose. That is the one thing that is different than what was required.

It is running smooth other than the noise, correct? It appeared to be in the video, but I just want to confirm.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, November 18th, 2022 AT 6:47 PM
Tiny
CST843
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Hey sorry it took so long to respond I had Covid. I fixed the timing, and the noise is gone but it’s still getting coolant on top of my number 1 piston. I think I might have a crack in one of the ports in the head.
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Sunday, December 11th, 2022 AT 7:48 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

It is possibly a crack, or the head is warped. You can have the head checked using magnaflux, but that requires it to be removed. Have you noticed white smoke from the exhaust? Are you getting a misfire code for cylinder 1?

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, December 11th, 2022 AT 9:10 PM
Tiny
CST843
  • MEMBER
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No symptoms at all just the wet piston top in cylinder 1... I’ve been checking it with my scanner... Car actually runs good. I can buy a new cylinder head from Rock auto for 1077 shipped I’ll probably go that route.
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Monday, December 12th, 2022 AT 8:36 AM
Tiny
CST843
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No symptoms at all just the wet piston top in cylinder 1... I’ve been checking it with my scanner... Car actually runs good.I can buy a new cylinder head from Rock auto for 1077 shipped I’ll probably go that route
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Monday, December 12th, 2022 AT 8:36 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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I would have the head tested first. That is a lot of money and I'm not sure if it is complete or if you need to switch parts to it.

Regardless, let me know what you decide and what I can do to help.

Joe
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Monday, December 12th, 2022 AT 7:27 PM

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