Ok, My eclipse is in florida, I went down about a week ago to visit so i figured I would drive the car since I was down. I had to replace a radiator hose and put some coolant in it to get it back up and running. I cranked the car and it started making a clackity clack clack clack sound. I dont know how else to explain it. Anyone know what this could be? I am thinking it is about to blow a rod, but I just wanted to make sure.

Could be rod knock.

How long has the car been sitting? How long has it been since it was run last?

Could be a dry top end or a lifter sticking. Did you check the oil levels and the oil condition?

Originally posted by djtrickee
How long has the car been sitting? How long has it been since it was run last? Could be a dry top end or a lifter sticking. Did you check the oil levels and the oil condition?

That's what I was going to say as well. Your motor isn't built is it? If it is, you could have a slapper.

This may sound weird but is it a clackity clack or a clickety click or a tappety tap? I swear this is an honest question :7

MB

Well, I do know that the radiator hose was completely split in half and I had to put in a whole thing of radiator fluid + water. The oil was fine, but it does need an oil change which I plan on doing once I got back into town. I am moving back down there on the 1st of Jan. I am not sure how long it sat up without being cranked. I do know the battery was dead and we had to jump it off. But it does sound like a clackly clack comming from the motor. My first guess was it is about to blow a rod, but im not sure.

Yeah, it could be rod rap. Use the long screw driver to the ear to narrow down the noise. If it is coming from the block, I'd check oil for bits and drop the pan. BUT sometimes an exhaust leak is mistaken for rod rap. You may want to block off the muffler (hold a rag over the end) and see if you get any hisses. Does the noise go away when it warms up? Or do you even dare to let it warm up?

MB

I let it warm up, i had to. I had to get the coolant back to the proper level after replacing the hose. It warmed up just fine, got to about 180 or so. The noise was still there after the engine warmed up. Im not down there yet, but I will be soon.

It's most likely a spun rod bearing. Get under the oil pan and see if it's louder there. Silver flecks in the oil would confirm it, you might even be able to see them on the dipstick.

Next in line would be a stuck lifter.

Hope it's something simple though, good luck.