Ok, I'm gonna keep on this thread until I find an answer. Scenario thus far:

I've had this annoying mother f'n knocking sound going on. I've tried troubleshooting to no luck. So far I've adjusted the valves changed some belts that needed it. It's not any cylinder or injectors, I removed them one at a time today and the sound persisted (but I did find out none of them were bad )

Some problems that may lead to solution:
-Car will almost cut off when idling sometimes, not always.
-Sometimes it seems my car has a backfire sound when I change gears (I think at lower rpms but I could be mistaken). I have a catback exhaust on it but I've never had one with that problem.
-This sound seems to come from somewhere near the injectors, behind or below I'm not sure of.
-Sometimes when I get on it (I don't know if it's an intake) but my car will speed up but then get a 'spurt' and really pick up.

I heard it might be the ignition timing but idk. Does an alternator ever make a repetitive sound? It seems to be coming from the upper right corner of my engine bay.

And if no one knows, is there something more precise to do than to put my ear as close as I can to hear it?

 

bump

 

Not even an idea? Seriously any suggestion at this point will work as I'm at a loss for what it is...

 

Did you check your timing marks? Sounds like you might be a tooth off.

 

Is that as simple as just looking to make sure they are set right?

 

What motor do you have?

 

stock for an 89 si

 

I know the motor code. First I would check the timing what was the last time you check your spark plugs that can tell alot

 

Yesterday I did the cylinder test (wizco named it but i forget) and the noise didn't stop. I listen again today for a good while and it almost seems to be coming in from the fuel rail/intake manifold place but i'm just guessing. Also checked the timing belt, well listened and it seems quiet there.

 

the sound coming from your tranny? like the throwout bearing grumbling, does sound go away when clutch is in?alternator could have bad bearing makin the knock sound? hope it isnt a rod knock?

 

I know it isn't a rod, tranny or clutch. Pressing and releasing the clutch is one of the first things I did. It may be the alternator as I asked before but I've never heard an alternator make noise.

 

bump

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Booz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It may be the alternator as I asked before but I've never heard an alternator make noise.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You could always pull the belt off, start the motor and see it goes away...

Not to flame you, but if you don't know how to check for timing, how were you able to adjust the valves correctly? You sure your valves aren't too tight?

 

I was pressed for time and didn't know if my assumption that if the noise was not coming from that area if anything more needed to be pursued....

 

I meant to ask, should I get a noise enhancing instrument? Like a stethescope or something that will let me hear more directly? B/c I wouldn't even know where to get one.