98 sunfire 2.4 lifter question

FIRST POST
my girlfreind has a 98 2.4 with 95,000 miles on it she was driving on the interstate the other day and ran over a tire recap from a truck a few miles after the the engine started to knock (might not have anything to do with the knock but wanted to tell the whole story) i checked the oil and it was a quart down the oil filter has no damage. i filled the oil and started the car there is a slight tap at idle but a knock at higher rpms. it sounds like something in the top end of the motor but i really cant tell. i am a automotive and diesel mechainc but have not messed with this type of motor at all. any help will help. i have read about some kind of timing chain tensioner and guides. thanks

NEW POST
i finally got the motor apart first checking the timing chain and all the componets they where all ok. so i took the intake cam cover off removing the cam,lifters and checking the valve springs everything looks good.. are the lifters solid lifters or hydrolyic ??? i removed the intake cam because this is where the noise was the loudest holding a screw driver to the top of the cover and my ear this is the only side i heard the noise on. i was sure i was gonna find somthing but i did not find anything at all... also the timing chain tenstioner when its reset how do u get it to pop back out to put pressure on the chain shoe ? the book really does not explain that i reset it but i did not see a way to get it to pop back out... thanks for the help

well, these motors have problems with the #3 bearing going from oil starvation. Most likly this is where the knock is coming from.

None of the books I have indicate whether the lifters are solid or hydraulic. As for the tensioner shoe everything I have read indicate that once you remove the pin holding the plunger back the shoe should reposition itself once you have reloaded the tensioner setting to zero.

put engine back together i checked the lifters they are hydrolic and had them looked at by a speed shop they where all ok also after turning the engine over 3 times u have to push on the tenstioner for the timing chain and it will pop out.. the engine is still knocking and i am not going to go any further with it we are gonna sell it or trade it in.. thank for the help maybe it will last alittle longer . i did not think it was a rod knock but i guess it is there is nothing in the top end thats bad.. the local dealers i talked to said that they are known for rod and pistion slaps