RedSaleen2423

Vehicle: 2000 Saleen Mustang with 60,000 miles


Problem: Clicking sound can be heard when over 2500-3000 rpms, easing off the gas lessens the clicking. Also on startup, but not so much when idling. The knock is coming from the bottom back of the engine.


Close example: Not my car, but sounds like what I hear. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV1o6sOSQNM


Also: When idling, the engine sounds a little loud/raspy ..however putting the clutch in dramatically lessens the sound. This is what leads me to believe I have a flywheel/pressue plate problem.

I'm pretty sure a cracked flywheel would mean I couldn't even drive my car, but any other ideas what this could be? Time/Costs to fix?

All replies are greatly appreciated!

Subotai_95

Wellll.. it DOES sound like a possible flywheel problem, though you could PROBABLY drive it on a cracked flywheel depending on how bad the crack is and where it is.. I wouldn't though, that's just me. I couldn't see the video, but if it's making a clicking noise like that at speed, and when you push in the clutch it lets off, I'd check out two things, the flywheel and the shift-fork on the tranny.. I'm not exactly a world-class mechanic, but a broken or cracked shift fork will sometimes rattle, like the one on my stock 3650 tranny did before it broke..

My_1st_Stang

I was told that a rattle from flywheel could mean that it's been scarred. Are you the only one who has driven it and has it ever slipped out of gear when shifting agressively?

RedSaleen2423

I'm honestly not sure, but I don't drive it hard and no one else ever drives it. Dumb question, but do they have to pull the motor to fix the flywheel?!

RedSaleen2423

Main Bearing Knock:
Main bearing knock is usually apparent when the engine is pulling hard, when an engine is started, during acceleration, or at speeds above 35 mph.

Loose Flywheel or Broken Flexplate:
A loose flywheel or broken flexplate can usually be detected by this procedure:
1) Advance engine idle to 2000 rpm.
2) Turn off the ignition switch.
3) When the engine has almost stopped, turn the switch on again.
4) Repeat this procedure several times.
5) If the flywheel is loose or the flexplate is broken, a distinct knock will be heard every time the ignition switch is turned back on.

Harmonic Balancer:
A separated harmonic balancer will generally produce a heavy rattling noise that can be heard at low speed.

Rod Knock:
Excessive connecting rod bearing clearance noises are usually a light rap or clatter much less in intensity than main bearing knocks and the loudest when the engine is "floating" or running with a light load at from 25 to 35 mph. The noise will become louder as engine speed is increased. By grounding out each of the spark plugs, one at a time, you can determine from which cylinder the noise is coming. The noise may not be eliminated entirely by grounding, but it will be reduced considerably in intensity. The easiest way to ground out the cylinders is by inserting a 1.5" piece of 5/32" vacuum hose on each terminal on the distributor cap, and then placing the spark plug wires over the vacuum hose. With the alligator clip end of a non-powered 12 volt test lamp attached to ground, touch the test light tip to the vacuum hose to ground out that cylinder.

Piston Slap:
Piston slap is loudest when the engine is cold, and lessens or disappears after the engine is warm. When driving the car (at from 25 to 30 mph) the noise will increase in intensity as the throttle is opened and additional load is applied. To detect piston slap, try the following procedure:
1) Pour several ounces of 40 weight engine oil into the suspected cylinder(s).
2) Crank the engine for several revolutions with the ignition turned off. This will allow for the oil to work itself down past the rings and act as a cushion.
3) Install the spark plug(s).
4) Start the engine.
5) If the noise is eliminated, the engine has a piston slap condition.

Piston Pin Noises:
Piston pin noise is usually the result of excessive piston pin clearance. This will cause a sharp, metallic, double-knock sound most noticable when the engine is idling. Sometimes the noise is more audible at car speeds of from 25 to 35 mph. To test for excessive piston pin clearance noise, use this procedure:
1) Run the engine at idle speed.
2) Retard the spark to reduce the intensity of the knock.
3) Return the spark timing to the normal setting.
4) Short out each spark plug, one at a time. The double-knock sound will become more audible at the cylinder with the loose pin.

Other possibilities for you to consider include:
1) Loose timing chain hitting the inside of the front cover.
2) Connecting rod bolts hitting the inside of a dented oil pan.

RedSaleen2423

I've got a rod bearing. Price for a new engine w/ install at the Ford Dealership is $5,500! Any insight? lol

silverstang1996

if you have some engine knowledge, this could be a time you can learn a lot about motors and tearing them down hah. i actually have the same sound but i know it has to do with my flexplate or something in there because my torque converter bolts were scraping the plate between the tranny and engine, so i think my flexplate may be bent or soemthing