There are many items that could cause your problem. The noise you speak of could be anything too although it could be due to misfires. If you have limited ability to work on the car you may want to take the car to a mechanic to have it diagnosed. Some of the items I would check are ignition module, coils, wires or plug connectors (depends on size of engine). You may also want to check the fuel system for leaks and replace the fuel filter if it hasn't been changed recently. There is also a possibility that the timing chain tensioner has broken causing the noises you hear. It could also be causing internal damage if the timing is off slightly.
These are some things to check but once again you may need a mechanic.
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