1990 Lumina clicking while car accelerates

[sirdarksol]

Another problem with my poor old Lumina is that the engine clicks or scrapes while it accelerates. It actually kind of clicks all the time, but it's worst while it accelerates.
I can't really describe the noise any better than that, other than to say that the clicking/scraping sounds very similar to when another car of mine had an oil leak and lost enough oil on the highway for the engine to seize up.
However, I have changed the oil in this one, and check it frequently. It always comes up full.
There was one guy who had an anti-Lumina website. His website said that Luminas have some sort of bolt or something that comes loose, and can eventually break off and get sucked into the engine, killing the car instantly.
The guy seemed like such a lunatic that I don't worry too much about it, but I'm still curious about what this noise is.
Anyone have any ideas?

[SlamminMOfo]

Are you 100% positive it is the engine and not the CV (constant velocity) joints?

[Kooterskkar]

Does it make that noise when its in park?

[sirdarksol]

No, I'm not 100% positive that it's coming from the engine. I have, however, had the car in park, and the hood open and it really sounds like it's coming from in or around the engine block. Could be wrong though.

[Kooterskkar]

May be a sticky lifter or valve. Have you checked the oil lately? When was it changed last? You could try some Gunk* Valve Medic. A friend of mines car had a sticky lifter, we put some of that in and took it around the block, hasnt made any noise since. You should be able to get it, or something like it, at just about any auto parts store.

[kevinb70]

my first thought was the transaxle.

[chaddyp]

One problem I recently had with my '91 Lumina was the rear passenger side cylinder's spark plug had backed out and air was getting through the threads. It eventually blew out when I started it one day, but before that it sounded like a ticking, motor problem. I had no idea it was something as simple as the spark plug being loose until she blew, oh well... but you could simply try and tighten all of your spark plugs and see if for some reason this is happening on your engine too...