I left for two months and lived in Hawaii, with my car sitting in my parents driveway. They drove it about every two weeks. But when I got home the car has this rumble/knock in the engine, it almost sounds like the noises diesel engines make. Any idea what could be causing it?
TIA

 

Bad gas? I would see what happens after the next tank. How is the idle?

 

check timing, if thats ok, look towards needing a valve adjustment, or a possible exhuast leak

 

I just put in a fresh tank of Chevron and it hasn't goen away, bu tI've only put on 20 miles with it, we'll see. Idle is fine, not rough or jumpy or anything.

 

How can I check timing?

 

timing light

 

with a timing light

 

Exaust manifold gasket.....that fixed the sound what you describe on mine. just something else to check...

 

Probably loose valves, same thing on my dad's Ford.

 

Revulcanize tires? Ohh right, a 2000 has radials, no distributor, no carburetor and computer controlled timing.

How hot was it 2 months ago and how hot is it now? Your oil is turning to water more than likely.

 

U know...I thought mine was a diesel for a while....turned out I had loose debris flying around in my cat...eventually stopping it up. I also thought it was pinging...I adjusted timing...throttle body....still nothing.

 

I just did an oil change two days ago, no difference.

 

If it's 100F out, 5w-30 is a bit thin.

 

Yeah, with the temps we see, I use 20W50. Works great. Nice and quiet, smooth...I won't know what to do when I finally seel this place and move to Oregon or Washington... ...But I'll figure it out

 

I dropped it off at the dealer today and the service advisor had no idea what it was, so I'll let you as I find out.

 

He just called and it was the water pump failed, and it is covered under warranty. The question I have now for you guys is he says for another $228 he will replace the timing belt and the three other belts while he's in there. Isn't that a little high? The car is a 2000 with 85,000 miles. What would you do?

 

Consider that the belt runs $46 at list, and there isn't that much more labor when they're done with the waterpump. Sounds like a little much to me.

 

How much are the other belts? Should I ask for them to do the thermostat?

 

I got all of mine for less than $50, thats for sure.

Maybe it's not such a bad deal....

 

id do it