Friday, December 01, 2006 - 11:05 am, by: Rehan Bandara(Parsec)
It looks pretty straight and there's no visible movement... hrm
its been developing for a while... but it seems to have become much worse since my last service. I put in a couple of oil additives (stop leak, valve unstick)
Do you think I should try another service with fresh oil (last one was only like 500kms ago)?
Friday, December 01, 2006 - 11:30 am, by: Mark Paddick(Sparks)
There are all sorts of possibilities from big end knock to a timing belt tensioner. A stethoscope would help you find it. And before you say "where the hell do I get one of those" would you believe that Jaycar sell them?
An old mechanics trick is to use a large screwdriver to transmit sound from a specific spot to your ear or even a piece of hose (if I steal any more of the neighbours' garden hose I think I'll be in the ••••• ).
Friday, December 01, 2006 - 11:33 am, by: Rehan Bandara(Parsec)
Actually, i already have one
I couldn't tell much from listening around the top end except for the fact that it was getting louder the lower i went. I thought it could be the cam bearings or timing belt, so i removed the cover and poked around, but that all seemed good.
It seems to be fine when cold, and get worse as the car heats up. This could be due to the revs dropping and making the knock more pronounced (or resonant) though. I pushed and pulled on the main crank pulley and there was no discernable play in it.
Damn, i had the car on ramps yesterday. I should have checked the bottom end.
Friday, December 01, 2006 - 05:35 pm, by: Mark Paddick(Sparks)
It does sound like a big end knock from the description but that's really only a guess. I wouldn't worry too much unless it is really bad. They can go on like that for a long time. A fresh oil change may show up something. Often that is enough to change the noise slightly and make it more obvious what it is. Or there might be some bits in the oil. Or it may just go away which would point more to a generally worn engine rather than something specific. With the prices of 2nd hand engines from Japan being the way they are it isn't worth pulling one down. It's easier and cheaper just to stick another one in. I'd be starting to look. No rush it won't go bang for a while yet. Even late model engines are not that expensive and will be in good nick. It will have a lot of other good stuff too, like A/C compressor, steering pump and alternator so can be rather good value (especially when a recon compressor is worth more than you're paying for the engine). Buying something like that from eBay, for instance, is dodgy at best but the Japanese auctions are not eBay and the Japanese enforce their rules one of which is that you can't bid. You must get an agent to do it for you. If it is advertised as '"XXX" model, low k's etc" then it WILL be with only very rare exceptions. I'm much more confident about not getting ripped off but it does happen.
There are plenty around who can help you find and get what you want. Just look in the traders' section and start asking.
Saturday, December 02, 2006 - 11:18 am, by: Mark Paddick(Sparks)
Forget cheapies on ebay. Get a good preferably later model low km engine with bits hanging off it that will be useful and not worn out... 1/2 cuts are good too and updating to say a VVTi engine is easy that way. Some other models like Chasers and stuff will get you a really nice radiator and Hydraulic fan setup and a later 1JZ and updated ECU in your 1/2 cut. And a spare gearbox too. Whether it will fit easily without mods is another question. You should be able to get a good enginee for a $k and 1/2 cut for two to three.
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