Hello i have a 2004 coupe with 86K miles on it. Four days ago all hell decides to break loose. I found out i need new flex plates and center support bearing which was fine, i get that. It feels like im driving over rumble strips between 1500-2300 RPM and makes that vibrating noise. YIPEE the fun continues. So i notice a ticking noise coming from rear motor passenger size. A lifter? I hope not. It has started to run funny, it makes the entire car have this vibration like you are in a massage chair. It will go back and fourth between 500-800 Rpm while stopped and it seems to run over itself as if its mis firing on me. All of this is happening at the exact same time! Im a full time college student and love my Alabaster like a child, any help would be appreciated. I had planned on doing plugs, gaskets, and oil change within the next week until all of this started to happen!
Thanks
Zach

 

First, your car is an OHC engine, so no lifters, but it can still be something in the valve train. Does it throw any codes? Can you do your own work or do you need a mechanic? Just about every fix possible is well documented on this forum, including pictures, that can save you a bunch $.

 

There is small lifters between the rocker and valve or tapes, also heard on a couple threads about cam phasers.
A mechanics stethoscope from a autoparts store for 15-20 bucks and u can hear alot closer on where exact point of sound is coming from.
Is the whole car vibrating when it is parked?
Do you have 6 spd or auto?
You are using only premium gas for the higher compression?

 

It does not throw any codes, im oretty mechanically inclined. and it is a auto transmission, and yes the car vibrates in park as well

 

It is due for an oil change and I was planning on flushing it out. It doesn't tick when starting up but after its warmed up and idling after being driven it does have a tick tick tick. Would a bad plug be the cause? If only one plug is firing in cylinder

 

It was asked but not answered, are you using premium fuel, is it possible you got some bad fuel?

Dave

 

Give her the Sea Foam treatment before the oil change...

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...-foam-how.html

 

I use a mix between BP premium and racetrack premium. I have never put anything else in it. I love this car like my child

 

Do a google search for "racetrack gas problems" and you'll see why you get what you pay for...!!

 

Like I said, no lifters. I just looked at the pictures I took when I had my valve train disassembled. Those are not lifters. Lifters make noise because they are usually hydraulic and they lose the ability to maintain their hydraulic pressure and then there is excessive clearance, hence a rattle.

 

So does this car have lifters? And i did a injection cleaner today. see how well it behaves now. I need to fix the flex disk and center bearing before i look into any other issues. Thanks!

 

It does not have "lifters", it has the same functionality in each rocker arm however.
This engine is a single overhead cam ( each bank ) 3 valve per cylinder with two spark plugs each.
The valve clearance is non-adjustable, in the tip of each rocker at the valve end is the hydraulic compensator, the other end is a roller on the cam :

 

could it be a piece of trash on the roller? THanks

 

Do you have a code reader? Is the check engine light on? That's where you need to start or you'll be chasing your tail and throwing money away fixing things that aren't broken. Sounds like something simple to me. Perhaps a spark plug is loose or one of the boots isn't on tight? The shaking idle sounds like a miss and the variable idle could be a loose or torn vacuum hose or both. Coil pack giving up? Is the fuel filter original? A worn cam or cam follower is rare enough that I doubt you've been bitten by it. Broken valve spring is more likely and once again, almost unheard of with this engine. I wouldn't flush the engine. No reason to dilute your oil unless you know for sure it's gummed up. Be logical in your search and eliminate one thing at a time and soon it will be clear where the problem is.

Les

 

Zero codes, no engine light, the owner before us didnt take care of the car very well. the plugs and wires and coil packs are all original, the plugs need changed and im doing valve cover gasket along with oil change all at the same time. ill check the boots today. could it be exhaust manifold as welll? fuel filter is original.....i know bad owner here...is there a diagram of which vacume hoses to look for or just listen for hissing noise?
I REALLY REALLY appreciate everyones input!

 

Look under the hood in the dark with the engine running and see if the tick is a plug wire arcing against something, my explain the ticking sound and the misfire feeling.

 

I will do that tonight thank you!

 

great advice and well put, oderly and logical thinking

 

All is well expect for flex disk which are next on my list, did clave cover gaskets today, fresh oil and filter. And new plugs it's running better than new