This can't be good. Options

[Blakout16]

well, i was on my way home tonight and i just got off the freeway.
approaching the stop light @ the end of the freeway, i let my foot off the gas.
- to the punch : it sounds like someone is throwing marbles in engine(sort of). only happens when at 2k RPM or higher.

[lagos]

how many miles on the car? when was the last time you checked the oil ?

[Blakout16]

replaced the oil +filter 500 miles ago. 125k miles on the car.
im just putting this out there: could it be the transmission?

This post has been edited by Blakout16: Jun 5, 2006 - 11:25 AM

[burneeed]

does it slip?

if theres 125k miles on a stock clutch and your guessing the tranny... sounds like you need a new clutch.

[Blakout16]

not slipping at all, replaced the clutch 20k miles ago.

[CheesyLobster]

any other symptoms? loss of power? smoking? wierd smells? check engine light?

[Bitter]

does it happen in nuetral or only when in gear under hard acceleration.

[Blakout16]

To Cheesy - i have no cats, the car smells funny all the time newho gotta love gas. and actually, i havent noticed ne loss in power, thats why im kind of ruling out a broken piston/rod :-\. Check Engine light is not on.

To Bitter - happens at all times.

[JFrost9]

the marble sound is normally lack of oil or a bearing...You didnt hit something or have a leak or something did you? Id check the oil, and then if its not low than my guess would be a spun bearing maybe? i would stop running it though before you make it worse.

This post has been edited by JFrost9: Jun 5, 2006 - 11:53 PM

[Blakout16]

we just took the valve cover off, checked the timing and valves. the engine is very well lubricated. didnt notice any utterly destroyed pistons. im contimplating draining the oil and check for chunks or bits or something.

[hitcachi]

ask gary (GT4WRC) and see what he says, he knows alot about the internals of engines and different symptoms. Friggin just one of the walking encylopedias on this site. Its great stuff.

[CheesyLobster]

we just took the valve cover off, checked the timing and valves. the engine is very well lubricated. didnt notice any utterly destroyed pistons. im contimplating draining the oil and check for chunks or bits or something.

good idea, or just take off the oilpan for a better look.

[GT4WRC]

Hmmm, difficult one to diagnose without actually being there.
As above, does it happen in neutral? If yes, the you can usually rule out transmission.
As above, I would be suspecting a bearing, possible big end or crank journal. Only real way is to pull the bottom end apart to check. A pain to do, but better now than to have soemthing fail completely at high revs which could result in more damage (and be costlier).
Other option is to take it to a trusted mechanic who would be better placed to offer a diagnosis on teh spot.
HTH
Gary

[Blakout16]

thanks gary. We were taking a gander at it tonight.
we came up with a list of things.
starter colliding with the flywheel.
powersteering pump.
we just cant see it as being a huge break in nething major because there is absolutely no power lose... its comming from somewhere in the middle of the engine where the engine meets the transmission.

[GT4WRC]

thanks gary. We were taking a gander at it tonight.
we came up with a list of things.
starter colliding with the flywheel.
powersteering pump.
we just cant see it as being a huge break in nething major because there is absolutely no power lose... its comming from somewhere in the middle of the engine where the engine meets the transmission.

If the starter was hitting the flywheel, it would happen constantly. Plus the starter would be screwed anyway. The starter only engages when power goes to the solenoid when it operates correctly. If the gear was stuck out, you'd certainly know about it.
PAS is hydraulic with no real parts abale to make that sort of noise so, again, highly unlikely.
Bearings can quite easily fail etc with no perceptable loss in power. It's usually when the fail completely that the resulting damage to the rod/crank which results in major power loss related issues.
Gary

[Blakout16]

well, upon further investigation. there is a constant tick. the rpms just make it louder. thats why we're looking at the flywheel because it might be connecting with the starter.

[GT4WRC]

well, upon further investigation. there is a constant tick. the rpms just make it louder. thats why we're looking at the flywheel because it might be connecting with the starter.

IMHO, if it was the starter gear contacting with the flywheel ring, then it would be a constant noise - such as a brrrrrrrrr. Even at idle, such as 800rpm, imagine how many times the starter would be contacting with each individual tooth on the flywheel gear ring. Say for example that there are 50 teeth on the flywheel ring. at 800rpm, that's some 40000 contacts per minute.
Still, removing the starter is a fairly easy thing to do and any wear on either the starter or flywheel gear will be very obvious.
My money is either on a sticking valve or a worn bearing. A stethascope is a really useful thing to have to help trace the point of origin. At least you can locate whether it is in the block or head.
Gary

[Clipsetuner]

Blakout16 - Let me know what happens I have a good healthy 7a, if worse comes to worst.

I would guess something in the head, possible a bearing.

DTE

[Blakout16]

Update: well, to the best of our knowledge.
-Checked the Flywheel + Starter. All good
-Checked the Oil. All perfect.
-One of our guess's is that it might be a chunk of pressure plate that broke off and is at the bottom of the housing rattling around.

[GT4WRC]

You need to stop guessing as this could be quite a serious problem. The longer you leave it, the worse it will get. Take it to an expert and get a correct diagnosis. I really think that you are barking up the wrong tree with the pressure plate bit given the information supplied.
Gary