NeilGH

one of the rods in my son's '96 SL1 is knocking. It shuts up right above idle speed, but it sounds pretty nasty at idle. (previously thought the noise was timing chain- but it wasnt)

We dont have the room or time or money to rebuild the motor.

I dont imagine the bearing has spun yet, its not that bad. With the oil pressure developed just above idle it shuts up completly. I should really check the oil pressure...I suppose if its too low, that wouldnt help, ....anybody ever had a problem with oil pumps on these?

I already put in an additive to thicken the vicosity of the oil, but it didnt quiet it up.

Okay, I know its beyond "Overhaul in a bottle" lol.......


So this is the question I will put out there....how sick in the head would I be if I were to spend $20 on a set of rod bearings and put them in? Yeah, yeah, I should be shot for that one,....I know the deal, by the time its knocking, the crank is getting dinged up.... I just wonder if the bearings have taken the brunt of the damage at this point if putting a new set in wouldnt help even if just a bit.....It really sounds like only one rod, the one on the timing chain side of the motor.

I dont suppose there is a chance of dropping the crank out from the bottom without removing the transaxle? Ive had the timing side pulley off before, but I dont know how the tranny side looks. If it was simply a matter of unbolting the flywheel and main caps and dropping the sucker, I could replace it with a suitable used one.....hmmmm

saturnspeed_12

a rod knock normally always means the bearing is done, or has spun. the noise would be caused from the rod banging off the rod journal (on crankshaft).

your problem seems to be lifter tick, or low to no oil pressure at that time. if it was rod knock the noise wouldnt go away and would eat the bearing up then would bend the rod journal and probably break it off if it was run too much. if it was rod knock, you wouldnt be wanting to even start the engine again.

__________________
Ian
Saturn Tuners Club-OH Chapter President

1993 Saturn SC2 rebuild project for dad
1995 Saturn SL2 current daily driver /w a lot of work
2007 Chevy Cobalt injen cai, full lsj exhaust, dc sports fsb, progress springs and rear sway bar, enkei wheels/hankook rubber --*boost in progress