http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJAlHwoK2to
It was worse under load. It's dark now so I won't be able to really check anything out but I'm hoping someone may know the issue from the noise it's making.
Thanks, Marc

[This message has been edited by Gokart (edited 12-11-2012).]

Broken valve spring? You should be able to isolate it with a mechanics stethoscope.

quote Originally posted by Gall757: Broken valve spring? You should be able to isolate it with a mechanics stethoscope.

Bummer....this engine doesn't even have 8k on it yet

My first guess would be a cracked exhaust manifold (a well-known Fiero problem), or a blown exhaust manifold gasket.

Doesn't sound like a connecting rod knock. You do have oil pressure, don't you? Could possibly be a collapsed lifter; a compression test could confirm or eliminate that. Other possibilities: broken piston, stuck or bent valve, broken valve spring, failed rocker arm, etc.

Here are two pics of my "cracked" manifold. It didn't just crack, it broke into two pieces in a very short period of time. The noise was similar to yours:

[This message has been edited by Marvin McInnis (edited 12-11-2012).]

I guess I'll hope for a cracked manifold. Just what I need right before Christmas

edit to mention I do have oil pressure.

[This message has been edited by Gokart (edited 12-11-2012).]

Do you own a stethascope? It can pinpoint the area that the noise is emulating from. Sadly, something is amiss in a bad way.

quote Originally posted by Tony Kania: Do you own a stethascope? It can pinpoint the area that the noise is emulating from. Sadly, something is amiss in a bad way.

I'll pick one up tomorrow. Maybe Autozone?

Sounds more valve related to me. I would think a broken manifold would have ticks more often.

quote Originally posted by Dodgerunner: Sounds more valve related to me. I would think a broken manifold would have ticks more often.

That's what I'm thinking too. I'm so aggrevated right now I'm thinking of selling so if you're close enough and want to fix it for yourself I'm willing to negotiate.
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum4/HTML/064347.html

[This message has been edited by Gokart (edited 12-11-2012).]

Darn and so far away from me...
I'd at least see if you can tell if it's the front or back and pull the cover. Could just be a rocker adjuster that the self locking nut came loose. I would not give up so easy.

quote Originally posted by Dodgerunner: Darn and so far away from me... I'd at least see if you can tell if it's the front or back and pull the cover. Could just be a rocker adjuster that the self locking nut came loose. I would not give up so easy.

I'll check it out this weekend. Gets dark out so damn early now. Maybe I just need a good nights sleep. Been a long day. Thanks so much for your time!
Marc

Exhaust valve rocker nut has backed off, the popping is the combusted gas going back into the intake when the valve is opened again. The long cycles support it, one to pull fuel and air in to combust it, then another to release it back into the intake then another to pull another fresh charge back in. I had this happen before on a fresh engine, drove me nuts for a while, sounded exactly like what you have in that video, about like tapping on the intake manifold with a wrench.

Its does sound RPM related; but not 1:1... Maybe valvetrain or serp. belt?

Hows your oil PSI?
Remove that rear valve cover and have a look. Maybe turn it over while cover is removed and see how everything is moving...

I broke an exhaust rocker stud. Sounded just like that.
The irregular ticking could be the pushrod hitting the valve cover at random times.
If you try to accelerate, see if it doesn't backfire through the intake. If not, it could also be on the intake side.

quote Originally posted by Raydar: If you try to accelerate,

Duno if I would do anything other then idle the motor; at least till you know what/where the sound is comming from. Doing so may increase the repair bill

Very true.
But I was stuck a couple of miles from home. Decided to go for broke.
Going uphill with a non-functional exhaust valve will cause the mixture to back up into the plenum.

quote Originally posted by Raydar: Very true. But I was stuck a couple of miles from home. Decided to go for broke. Going uphill with a non-functional exhaust valve will cause the mixture to back up into the plenum.

lol... Ya, well if your stuck, ya gotta do what ya gotta do

Don't know you, but I did look at your car and all that you have done to it. All that work and such a nice looking car too! I am just getting started! Don't make a hasty decision now that you would probably regret later. I don't have the answer for you, but somebody here will help you, just give it sometime!

quote Originally posted by Raydar: I broke an exhaust rocker stud. Sounded just like that.

If that's what it is (I'd almost bet money on it) it will only take a couple of hours to fix.

I did the same thing and was lucky I was less than a mile from home. When I heard the noise (which takes allot over my music!) I tried to coast as much as possible without giving much gas.

Do yourself a favor. Remove the water pump belt and check for play in the bushings. My 2.8 sounded like a pulled rocker stud, broken valve spring and collapsed lifter all combined and it turned out to be a bad water pump.
Harry

To me, it sounds like something is REALLY loose in the valvetrain. Plus, it sounds like the engine is running on 5 cylinders. A bad water pump wouldn't make the engine miss like that.

I agree with Joseph Upson. Locate which side and pull the valve cover. All should be revealed.

Ken

------------------
'88 Formula V6
'88 GT TPI V8

I'll throw in with the valve-train crew. It also sounds like you have other loose rockers. I'd pull both valve covers and "retighten" all of the rockers.

Thanks for all the input guys. If I can get through Christmas and still have some cash left I'll get it towed to be fixed. If not, it'll have to sit for a spell. Problem now is finding someone reputable in my area that won't gouge me. I'll bump this back up when I get the results. Happy Holidays to all!

Bump! I've had her back for a month or so now and forgot about this thread I started!
Here was the culprit.

Running perfectly again...$500.00 later
Thanks for the quick responses and to those that convinced me "cooler heads will prevail"!
Marc

quote Originally posted by Gokart: Bump! I've had her back for a month or so now and forgot about this thread I started! Here was the culprit.

Sweet! Sure beats a blown engine or thereabouts.

Somewhere here at home I have a rocker arm from an old 6-cylinder Nova I used to have. On a road trip four hours from home, it developed an awful tick or knock. I was young and worried so I just drove home real easy and the next day I took off the valve cover and found a valve stem had worn a hole through one of the rocker arms. Ticked like crazy! A new one was about $7 and all was good.

[This message has been edited by css9450 (edited 06-09-2013).]