98 sunfire 2.4 lifter question

[neonnight34609]

FIRST POST
my girlfreind has a 98 2.4 with 95,000 miles on it she was driving on the interstate the other day and ran over a tire recap from a truck a few miles after the the engine started to knock (might not have anything to do with the knock but wanted to tell the whole story) i checked the oil and it was a quart down the oil filter has no damage. i filled the oil and started the car there is a slight tap at idle but a knock at higher rpms. it sounds like something in the top end of the motor but i really cant tell. i am a automotive and diesel mechainc but have not messed with this type of motor at all. any help will help. i have read about some kind of timing chain tensioner and guides. thanks

NEW POST
i finally got the motor apart first checking the timing chain and all the componets they where all ok. so i took the intake cam cover off removing the cam,lifters and checking the valve springs everything looks good.. are the lifters solid lifters or hydrolyic ??? i removed the intake cam because this is where the noise was the loudest holding a screw driver to the top of the cover and my ear this is the only side i heard the noise on. i was sure i was gonna find somthing but i did not find anything at all... also the timing chain tenstioner when its reset how do u get it to pop back out to put pressure on the chain shoe ? the book really does not explain that i reset it but i did not see a way to get it to pop back out... thanks for the help

[97grandamld9]

well, these motors have problems with the #3 bearing going from oil starvation. Most likly this is where the knock is coming from.

[GTP Dad]

None of the books I have indicate whether the lifters are solid or hydraulic. As for the tensioner shoe everything I have read indicate that once you remove the pin holding the plunger back the shoe should reposition itself once you have reloaded the tensioner setting to zero.

[neonnight34609]

put engine back together i checked the lifters they are hydrolic and had them looked at by a speed shop they where all ok also after turning the engine over 3 times u have to push on the tenstioner for the timing chain and it will pop out.. the engine is still knocking and i am not going to go any further with it we are gonna sell it or trade it in.. thank for the help maybe it will last alittle longer . i did not think it was a rod knock but i guess it is there is nothing in the top end thats bad.. the local dealers i talked to said that they are known for rod and pistion slaps