97 sunfire clacking noise

Hi, my buddy and I have been working on his 97 sunfire gt with the 2.4L for a while now. Originally we were replacing the valve cover gaskets (which completely sucks) and in the process though being careful somehow got the timing off. After putting it together he turned the car over to test it and immidiately heard a strange noise so he stopped cranking it and we tore it back apart. This time we made absolutely sure the timing was right and got it all put back together only to find that though it started right up there is a bad clacking noise coming from the exhaust side valve cover/head area like a valve is getting smacked. assuming thats what is happening can anybody explain how thats happening with the timing set right (we were VERY careful to get it right this time since it is a huge hassle to get to it)? Or if anybody has any other thoughts on it let me know. The car has sat for a good couple months do to us not feeling much like working in 110 degree direct sunlight very often lol. Thanks

Hi, my buddy and I have been working on his 97 sunfire gt with the 2.4L for a while now. Originally we were replacing the valve cover gaskets (which completely sucks) and in the process though being careful somehow got the timing off. After putting it together he turned the car over to test it and immidiately heard a strange noise so he stopped cranking it and we tore it back apart.


What was the strange noise?

If it's bent a valve it would explain the current noise.

Thanks for the reply, thats actually what I was thinking and was afraid of but he ran it anyway for a few minutes and the noise went away. Now it seems to run good as new so looks like we lucked out and it just needed some time to relubricate. Thanks again.

Thanks for the reply, thats actually what I was thinking and was afraid of but he ran it anyway for a few minutes and the noise went away. Now it seems to run good as new so looks like we lucked out and it just needed some time to relubricate. Thanks again.


Glad it went away, may have just been a try lifter.

Shows the value of oiling things before putting them back together :)