Guess what's knocking for X-mas? My head !

[Tedskiii]

So as the title says, my head recently started knocking right in time for Christmas !

I'm kind of in a situation right now, and need to start making decisions soon.

Anyways here's a video of the sound I'm hearing;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY7XuLT8FCg&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I finally for the time to pull the valve cover off, and manually then the motor. Can't really duplicate what's going on like when the motor is running, but here's some pictures of what I found !


Retainers all chewed up !

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l507/t39clayton/49CF83B3-AA3E-4AD4-81DC-46B37E122E7E-6564-00000C711A684FD3_zpsc4c2cf77.jpg

Rocker arm has less oil coating than all the others

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l507/t39clayton/6153EFBF-0086-462A-9DFA-C6F1DA647530-6564-00000C7128EC43BB_zpsca8bca54.jpg

Cam lobe chipped

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l507/t39clayton/24ABA1DD-44C4-4835-8D50-F6C723F160FF-6564-00000C71305EAB8E_zps1c3e9d22.jpg



I've heard from a few other that I could have a bad lifter? Not to sure, but I'm trying to find what's the cause 100%.

I may be moving within this year, so I'm not really trying to throw tons of money/time at this motor. I'm actually considering finding a decent Ka swap so I can atleast drive it.

Any thoughts on the cause of this nonsense? Thanks on advance.

[Tedskiii]

Still doing my research, been asking around. Hopefully it's just a lifter.

But from what I can remember, I don't see what was actually hitting, and caused the wear.

[jr_ss]

Most likely, what happened, was the rocker arm shot off and dinged up the cam and retainer at one point in its life. Since the cam's damage is minimal and on the outside of the lobe it doesn't effect it's operation and was just throw back in there. Lifters or incorrectly shimmed rockers will make excessive noise. Check all your tolerances in the head while you're at it.

[Tedskiii]

Most likely, what happened, was the rocker arm shot off and dinged up the cam and retainer at one point in its life. Since the cam's damage is minimal and on the outside of the lobe it doesn't effect it's operation and was just throw back in there. Lifters or incorrectly shimmed rockers will make excessive noise. Check all your tolerances in the head while you're at it.

So would you suggest I replace my cam with another "used" OEM one? Also the retainers, would those need to be replaced? All lifters will replaced ofcourse.


My first time digging this deep into a motor, but I've got friends with experience watching over my shoulder.

Also what did you mean by tolerances? Like everything is in spec to FSM?

[sleepyS14se]

I would not trust that cam. Do not re-use it when you get everything straightened out. Only asking for problems if you re-use it.

just curious. How long have you have that engine and who was the last one in it? Someone may have half-assed a bit, who knows.

[Tedskiii]

I would not trust that cam. Do not re-use it when you get everything straightened out. Only asking for problems if you re-use it.

just curious. How long have you have that engine and who was the last one in it? Someone may have half-assed a bit, who knows.


I've had the car for about two years now, no major problems until now. I can see that being possible because when I first got the car, there was a lot of ghetto stuff about it haha.

I recently got offered a complete head ready to go from a friend. That may be cheaper than replacing the parts in mine, also comes with a new hg. Would I have to have my block resurfaced if im just putting an oem hg? Ive been finding mixed answers. Don't really want to pull the motor.