I just changed the headgasket on my 95 ls. replaced valve stem seals, cleaned everything, reseated valves, got everything back together and its making a horrible clanking noise. it is rhythmical, but i cant tell where its coming from. can some people please give some ideas of what it could be? ... i dont think its in the belts although i havent taken them all apart. and last think... when i run higher rpm the noise goes away.

will appreciate any ideas as soon as possible, thanks

 

does your car have high mileage? we had an accord that did the same thing when it hit like 180k miles. there wasnt anything wrong, just an old engine. i wouldn't be too worried if what your talking about is what im thinking of

 

it is high mileage, 219g, but the thing is that it ran fine before i took it apart. somebody told me to check the valve clearance, but i set them yesterday, and rechecked them today and dont think i couldve done anything that off with the clearance. i'm sure my car will run like this, but it sounds like somethings gonna be worn out or destroyed soon. the motor is in really good shape(or was).

 

im not too sure then, try to take it to a shop and get it professionally checked out! dont want any belts or something wearing out

 

i've come up with three theories.
1. timing belt is slipping, gonna check today

2. i cleaned so much carbon build up off the valves that the valve is now hitting metal to metal and will take some time to fit the seat smoothly. if this is the case i'll just let it run.

3. a bent valve. i really doubt this cuz i looked at them all before and theres no smoke or anything escaping the exhaust that i can tell.

 

Get a stethoscope (they're not THAT expensive) or just use a short piece of garden hose up to your ear. Narrow down the location of the sound.

Water pump? PS pump? Wrist pins? Timing belt tensioner pulley? The possibilities are many...

 

I win. the timing belt was slipping. the spring that automatically adjusts the tensioner pulley mustve been rusted or something and didnt pop back out, so it stayed loose the first time i put it on. now i need to redo the valve lash since the cams wouldve been slightly off with a slipping belt.

thanks for the replies

 

Anytime the timing belt is slipping like that you need to check the valves to make sure they are not bent. That noise you heard could have been the horrible sound of pistons smacking against the valves.

 

hope everything works out for ya

 

thanks. after adjusting the belt it sounds pretty normal. do i need to worry about valves even if exhaust seems good, and noise sounds normal?