View Single Post
Old 10-30-2010, 02:15 PM   #2
old_master
Advisor/Moderator
 
old_master's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Belleville, Michigan
Posts: 5,184
Thanks: 6
Thanked 103 Times in 95 Posts
Re: 1993 engine knock

Timing chains are not a common problem on the 4.3L especially with such low mileage. I service a fleet of 4 of them ranging from 285,000 miles up to 356,000 and none of them have ever had the chain replaced. The timing chain typically doesn't make noise when it wears. Usually it stretches and jumps a tooth or so on the camshaft. When that happens, the engine runs very poorly, if at all. The 10W50 oil is not recommended, it will do more damage. Rod bearings and crank bearings do not contact the journals on the crankshaft. A "cushion" of oil separates them. If oil can't get in there, the bearing contacts the journal and it knocks. When the oil pump circulates oil, it is pumped into the center of the crankshaft. Each journal has an oiling hole that the oil passes through to lubricate the bearing surface. The oil between the bearing and the journal creates a "cushion". If the oil is too thick, it can't "fit" between the bearing and the journal causing a knock. Years ago, when engine bearing tolerance was larger, thicker oil was used to quiet down noisy bearings. Thicker oil causes oil pressure to increase simply because the pump has to work harder to force the oil through. As a result, the volume of oil that is pumped decreases. With newer engines, the manufacturers recommend 5W20 or 5W30.

While the engine is at idle, remove one plug wire at a time and listen for the knock to change or stop completely. If/when the knock changes, you'll know what cylinder is causing it and the bearing and or crankshaft needs replacement. If it doesn't change, it's not a bearing.
__________________
You have to know how it works,
to figure out why it doesn't.
old_master is offline   Reply With Quote