Bearing Knock

[packman]

How long will the lopo 5.0L typically last with bearing knock; assuming that I (you) drive it in a civil manner (not racing it or nuttin', just highway cruising). The CV has had it since I bought the car five years ago. The car runs good, no smoke and idles somewhat smoothly. I'm just curious about this.




Packman

[DuceAnAHalf]

sure its bearing knock and not a lifter?

[gadget73]

Usually the knock is only noticeable on startup. If its steady, I'd suspect something else. If its that startup knock of death that gets quiet after a second or so, just ignore that until the red replace engine light is on steady when driving. When it starts to flicker at a hot idle, you should consider replacing the motor in the next couple of years, but it will still keep running for quite some time provided you keep the oil level full and don't wind the bullshit out of it. When the light is on all the time, its got no oil pressure because the bearings are severely worn. While this isn't neccesarily going to blow anything up immediately, it does mean that you're probably getting poor oil flow to the top end of the motor, and thats not good. As long as its still making some oil pressure though, you're pretty much ok.

[gabegt90]

Usually the knock is only noticeable on startup. If its steady, I'd suspect something else. If its that startup knock of death that gets quiet after a second or so, just ignore that until the red replace engine light is on steady when driving. When it starts to flicker at a hot idle, you should consider replacing the motor in the next couple of years, but it will still keep running for quite some time provided you keep the oil level full and don't wind the bullshit out of it. When the light is on all the time, its got no oil pressure because the bearings are severely worn. While this isn't neccesarily going to blow anything up immediately, it does mean that you're probably getting poor oil flow to the top end of the motor, and thats not good. As long as its still making some oil pressure though, you're pretty much ok.

x1

[packman]

This knock is constant and is only heard through the exhaust. Barely audible when the caps are closed, but really noticeable when the cut-outs are open. It's loudest when pulling off from a stop and kinda goes away when the RPMs increase. I though it was the lifters, but I can't hear anything in the engine bay when the car is running and capped up. The Malibu had lifter noise that I could hear through the valve covers. I can only hear it on the CV at the tailpipe; it sounds like a diesel when pulling off.




Packman

[351m]

You don't hear a knock through the tailpipe. Bearing knock can be heard at cold start, or if they are more worn, you will hear it under load as well.

Different exhaust can make weird sounds, mine sounds like it has a dead cylinder at idle though it does not. Bottom end can be anything from a dull thud, to a diesel sounding rattle all the time getting alot worse under load.

[P72Ford]

Perhaps a fluid 'hammer' occuring in your exhaust system. Or maybe there is a leak somewhere.

I know that after I put the headers on my car, it wasn't much liuder, but you can hear the exhaust pulses very clearly; it sounds kind of strange.

[packman]

Perhaps it's something in the cylinder head(s); maybe the exhaust port(s) are carboned up. This noise didn't change with the exhaust system upgrade, so I am now thinking that it's in the cylinder head. Nothing critical though I guess.



Packman

[gadget73]

I'm thinking you hear something other than an engine knock. As mentioned, you wouldn't hear a bearing or a valvetrain noise in the exhaust. Maybe a weak cylinder or a burnt valve or something would make a noticeable sound, but not a bearing or lifter noise.

[86VickyLX]

This knock is constant and is only heard through the exhaust. Barely audible when the caps are closed, but really noticeable when the cut-outs are open. It's loudest when pulling off from a stop and kinda goes away when the RPMs increase. I though it was the lifters, but I can't hear anything in the engine bay when the car is running and capped up. The Malibu had lifter noise that I could hear through the valve covers. I can only hear it on the CV at the tailpipe; it sounds like a diesel when pulling off.




Packman

You still have catalytic converters?


Does it sound like this??

[Southern_Pride]

My car makes a knocking sound in the right side exhaust. Hasn't hurt anything and it only does it at idle. I wouldn't worry a whole lot about it. Probably just something rattling around.

[351m]

If there is a cat with loose guts i would either gut/remove it or replace it. It will break apart and plug sooner or later.