I've read all the articles pertaining to engines going bad on this forum and had a couple of questions. First, what does it mean when a crank has 'spun'?!?!? Second, I was driving home this past friday on the highway when I started noticing a ticking noise in the engine. Like one of the earlier articles described, it sounded like one of the valves was hitting the top of the valve cover but as I continued down the road, it got louder and louder until it sounded like someone was taking a hammer to the side of my block. I didn't drive it after that and I did start it up for a friend. It starts fine and idles but that banging sound is still there. Could this be the crank?!? my friend was telling me it might be a broken rod. I just need to know so I can start the rebuilding process. I'm tight on money so I can't afford to redo the whole engine. If I can get away with just replacing the bottom end, that would be great. Any idea?!?!?

welp, if i were u, i would yank the valve cover, and check the valvetrain for probs.. was the sound cummin from the top or bottom of hte engine?? u may have to drop the oil pan, and see whats doin down there.....

a lil more info will proove its helpfulness...
good luck..

edit: crank spun- well, usually u spin a bearing, the crank spins... it creates play and isnt good...sorry but thats all i know

Usually lack of lubrication causes excessive heat and friction on the bearing surface. This in turn causes the bearing to warp and buckle. usually, the final blow comes when the bearing either wears through or gets rolled over on itself, which will cause the rod/rod bolts to go, and will usually send the rod through the block.

Were you low on oil?

Actually I was really low on oil at one point. That's when the ticking noise started and my engine light came on. I immediately get oil in it and the engine light went off, but the ticking was still present, but faint. I checked the block all around and didn't see any cracks. Most likely need a bottom end replacement, huh?!?!

Sounds like ypu spun a rod bearing.

Drop your oil pan and check the rods for play on thier journal. There should be none. If you can move any rod at all, you have a problem.

You'll need a new crank, and if you can afford it, new rods and pistons couldn't hurt. go 10.5:1 :-)

Is it a ticking or a knocking? Top or bottom end? A spun bearing will be more of a knocking sound, not a ticking sound. The ticking might be a lifter getting stuck or something like that. Drain the oil then get some on your fingers and hold it up to the light. If you see little metal shavings then you spun a bearing. This damn Neon engine will spin rod bearings left and right. And the reason why you didn't see any cracks on the block is because a spun bearing won't damage the block unless you snaped one of the connecting rods (like I did).

Thanks guys. Actually it started as a ticking, but now it's definitely a knocking noise. I'll end up buying the bottom kit from howells but where could I pick up a crank other than the dealer?!?!?

You could try a junkyard.. but they mostly sell full engines not internal parts. If you try that route, look for nice shiny journals, no scoring, no rust, no blueing, no signs of heat or high friction. Polish the journals with 400grit and it should be okay..

But before you go sped all that money, drop your oil pan and check your bottom end.. any obvious signs of wear, play, or metal fragments...