Clicking noise in engine

Hi, I've got a loud clicking noise that speeds up as rpm's go up. At idle, you can't hardly hear it.Also engine has lost power.Seems to be comming from under valve cover nearest fire wall,and not from lower part of engine.Almost like a loose rockerarm on older engines...Any thoughts? Oh, water was low when checked, but didn't see any leaks. (daughters van) 1999 villager... Thanks for any ideas

I would do a compression test first to try and find the cylinder. Then pull the valve cover and look.

Is the noise close to distributor?? Could it be a bad shaft bearing in the distributor?? I would pull the dist. cap off and look for looseness or filing from the bearing.

Checked the distributor and all looks fine. Haven't been able to get a compression tester yet.Did check codes and one was knock sensor, another was multiple miss-fires noted and one mentioned o2 sensor heater bank #1...When i first started it up cold it rattled alot then quickly quitened down. But when I rev the engine up the tapping gets louder and faster.Idles great and quite. Its like something came loose in the valve train.What should the compression be when i get a tester, and how many times should i test each cylinder? Guess the motor needs to be warmed up also? One more question please. Are these valve trains adjustable or do they just bolt down? Was pondering the thought of something worked loose that i could re-adjust. Thanks for all your guidance guys.Just found out that we've got a manual on it, so maybe i'll not bother you so much.But i understand things better when you pros explain it than i do reading those manuals.I'm thankful ( as are many others ) that you'r out there for us to come to for advise and guidance.

Don't feel like you are bothering anyone. These forums are to help each other.

These engines are non interference, so it is unlikely any vavles are bent. The valve tappets are torqued down by a several pass sequence. Like rhandwor suggests do a compression test to determine which cylinder or cylinders are causing the miss which activates the knock sensor code (do not worry about knock sensor replacement waste of time and money). The compression should be within 10% of each other. When or if you find low compression on a cylinder squirt some oil in the spark plug hole and retest compression, if compression increase the rings or psitons are the problem otherwise it is a burnt valve or worn camshaft. NOTE: BE VERY CAREFUL IN REMOVAL OF SPARK PLUGS, YOU MAY NEED TO SOAK THE SPARK PLUGS WITH A PENETRATING FLUID TO HELP WITH BREAKING LOOSE OF THE PLUG AND ALSO LOOSEN, THEN TIGHTEN UNTIL PLUG MOVES FREELY. EASY TO BREAK THE PLUGS OFF ON THESE VEHICLES. USE ANTI SEIZE WHEN INSTALLING PLUGS.

If you are using Fram oil filter get rid of it and use a better quality filter. How many miles on vehicle??? When was last tune-up???

Use a stethoscope or a screwdriver to try and locate source of noise.

PLeas keep us posted as this may help someone else in the future.

hope this helps

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I'd bet dollars to doughnuts you have a collapsed lifter. The valve lifters are hydraulic and when it fails it can't open the valve which will give a clicking noise as the valve stem slaps the rocker and will cause a lose of power. You need to get this fixed ASAP. If you push it too hard you will bend the valve and blow the engine. Its been a month since you started this thread. How about an update.

It could also be a broken valve spring.

If you can, with the motor off, remove the valve cover and feel for any slack in the rocker arms. Push down on the lifter side. A faailed lifter will be soft.

Sorry Guys,The weathers been bad here and i haven't been able to mess with it.Got the wrong tester(got a leak tester), but will keep it and get a regular compression tester;and get to it soon.It's been sitting since i contacted you guys.The bad lifter or cam does seem like the probable problem.Just hope the engine wasn't run too long damaged it beyond repair.Again thanks to everyone for you'r imput, and as soon as the snow stops and i get some time off from work, ill get to it and let you know what i find.