Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hello, I own a 1993 Mazda 323 5 speed manual, engine is 1.6 liter single cam. Recently, I notice a knocking sound from the engine but, it comes and goes for no apparent reasons. I cannot notice any changes in the performance of the car, everything works fine as usual. What's going on?
Thanks!
Answer -
HI Jean-François thanks for asking
this knocking sounds like it might be a hydraulic lifter going.these can cause a noise to come and go, if it was an internal bearing it would constantly make the knocking noise, Try useing thicker oil or an additive to see if this solves the problem.
good luck
Chris P
A hydraulic lifter... what happens when "it goes for good?" Can I still drive the car when the lifter is gone? I'm not going to fix that myself so, how much time would a mechanic take to fix it? Thanks!
jf
AnswerHi again Jean
the car should still be driveable with a somewhat blown lifter, the problem will get worase though and the noise willl eventualy get louder, this will have to be checked by another technician, there is a possiblity that it is not a lifter though, With hundreds of moving parts in an internal combustion engeine there are thousands of possibilities. unfortantly I cant help you that much without actualy hearing the noise, Have a Tech look at it and get back to me when they tell you what it is, then i can give you resonable prices to look for and a heads up on what will happen
Good luck
Chris P
