95.5 Passport loud ticking noise

[Passodeo]

Earlier today, i began to notice a loud ticking noise coming from the engine so i decided to take it to my usual repair shop to check it out. My mechanic told me that the cause of it was a bad piston and that the only way to fix it was to replace or get a rebuilt motor. I've only had the car for little over 5 months (i'm 17) so i don't really know much about it. I'd like to know what grade of oil most passport owners use, because another person told me that i might be able to get rid of the noise by using a heavier oil and an oil additive. I want my last option to be replacing the motor so any help anyone can provide will be greatly appreciated.

[dbikers]

did this just suddenly start happening? has it lost power? could you be a bit more descriptive?

if those are the exact words out of his mouth with no further explanation you need to never ever go back to that mechanic and then do some more investigating yourself as it could be several things...

• could be low on oil
• could be loose timing belt/faulty tensioner (very common)...the job can easily be done by yourself (change everything) for about $200
• could be a stuck lifter
• could be that someone put too much oil in at one time and toasted the #1 bearing
• heck, it could be a spark plug wire arcing/shorting/snapping under the hood

this list goes on and on, i am sure others will chime it...