97 Chevy Cavalier 2.2l engine noise?

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proswimma06

New member
I recently bought a 97 Cavalier with 140,000 miles on it; the engine makes a lot of clatter, it sounds like a diesel. There is no detenation going on and it sounds like top end noise not rod nock. The noise is always there but increases once things warm up like after a few miles. I don't know if I have an oil starvation problem or not. The seems to run good, a bit of a rough idle.
 
Valve-train clatter is actually not that uncommon on the OHV 2.2. Especially one with higher mileage like that. Not much you can do about it. I've seen S10s and Cavys with that rattle run a long time, but it's definitely not a good sign. Fortunately, it's a relatively simple engine. A premium long block is typically under $1000.

There are some other things on that engine that will mimic that sound though. The belt tensioner can make a rattling sound like that sometimes. The back of the alternator is just a inch or so from the exhaust manifold so sometimes the grease gets cooked out of the back bearing. It'll rattle like that shortly before it locks up. You can test both of these things by just taking the belt off and starting the car. If the noise is gone then you know it's on the accessory side of the engine.
 
Valve-train clatter is actually not that uncommon on the OHV 2.2. Especially one with higher mileage like that. Not much you can do about it. I've seen S10s and Cavys with that rattle run a long time, but it's definitely not a good sign. Fortunately, it's a relatively simple engine. A premium long block is typically under $1000.

There are some other things on that engine that will mimic that sound though. The belt tensioner can make a rattling sound like that sometimes. The back of the alternator is just a inch or so from the exhaust manifold so sometimes the grease gets cooked out of the back bearing. It'll rattle like that shortly before it locks up. You can test both of these things by just taking the belt off and starting the car. If the noise is gone then you know it's on the accessory side of the engine.
 
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