HELP! Noise in engine...or somewhere...

[frank]

I moved to Phoenix recently, and this week I went back to central California to get my teener (Chrome Yellow '73 2.0). Before hitting the road, I replaced the motor mounts, changed the tranny fluid, & changed the engine oil. After 600+ miles of pure excitement, I stopped to help the wife with a broken tie-down on the trailer she was pulling with our stuff in it. When I got back in the teener, it hesitated to start a bit (normally, it starts with one turn of the key). I got it running after about 4 attempts, but I heard a little bit of knocking in the engine compartment. The noise got louder, and Louder, and LOUder, and LOUDER. It's realy a scary sound. I managed to slowly drive it through the backroads for the last 20 or 30 miles of the trip to get it home.

What could this horrible noise be? Valves? Busted motor? (Keep in mind, I'm not a mechanic).

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Frank!

[Scrappy]

If you didn't lose oil pressure or have a very slight loss of power

CHECK THE VALVES

Hate to tell you how I know. It could be the starting of a dropped seat.

[3D914]

Frank,

Ditto! And hey - welcome to Phoenix. Drop me an email. Been through my engine more times than I wish to count. Be glad to help. I would also suggest a good shop - Don Jackson Automotive. They are an independant Porsche shop in Phoenix. Very good, very honest, very reliable.

Regards,

[frank]

I haven't been able to look at until today, and it seems like the noise is comming from inside the engine at cylinder #2.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Have you popped off the valve cover and looked at the rocker arms and valve tips?

--DD

[frank]

Yes. I popped off the covers, but all I checked were the valve clearances, and they didn't seem to be very off.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Then it's time to pull the head(s) off the motor.

--DD

[3D914]

Frank,

Let me know if you decide to pull the engine. I have a lift & some stands you can borrow that make the job much easier & safer.

Regards,

Gerard

[frank]

It's in Don Jackson Sr.'s and Jr.'s hands now. I'll be anxiously awaiting that faitfull call shortly. I should hear from them late this week or early next week.

I pulled off the heat exchangers to get a better look at the valves. The HE's looked like swiss cheese, so I'm chucking them. If anyone knows a good/cheap source for them, please let me know.

I had my ride hauled to Don Jackson's this afternoon. They put an ear to it. One mechanic AND Don Sr. said it sounded like the flywheel was trying to come off. "It's definitely internal", they all concurred. I was told that if the engine case has to be cracked open, it's a minimum $3k to $6k! OUCH! What does everyone think of that?! I hope it's just the flywheel needing some new bolts and that there wasn't any damage.

Gerard, Thanks for the offer.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

[mike95125]

$3k-6k, I'd say learn to do ity your self. Or, the more practical approach would be to find a good core/used. You could get a Raby for around $6k.....yikes!
I feel for you man. Keep us informed and I bet you will end up farther ahead than you thought. Heck, you got Gerard in your hood and he seems to want to help.
Much luck

[frank]

I would realy like to do it myself, but I travel 5 to 6 days a week. Out on Sunday and back on Thursday or Friday. My boys race motocross, so much of my free time is spent on their bike maintenance, practice, and racing, and as you can see, that's only two days per week TOPS!

I had started down that road, which is why the heat exchangers are off, but reality hit me and I decided that I can't afford the time or effort when I considered that there would be no family-time until the job was done.

I'll keep everyone posted on the progress. I may just get the prognosis from the mechanic and then decide that it's a simple and quick fix. Who knows....

Thanks for your interest

[mike95125]

Frank,
I feel for ya. I have no time for that kinda stuff either. That is why I have my motorcycle. Low/No maintenance.