We have a 2000 Saturn SL2 (120,000 miles). Last night we drove to L.A. and back (from San Diego) , so about 250 miles round trip. For the last 45 miles or so we had the radio on quite loud. At some point in that 30-45 miles the engine developed a very loud knocking noise - like rocks being spun in…

Oh - and we checked the oil, we were not low on oil. We are due for a change soon but not overdue. Also, in the few weeks leading up to this I had noticed the engine hesitating when accelerating. It seemed to have to work harder to get to and maintain 50-65 mph

I Take It That You Don’t Have Tow Coverage On Your Insurance Policy. Since, You Seem Uncertain About What’s Causing The Knocking Then Towing It Would Be Advised. We can only hope you are hearing “spark knock” or pre-ignition and not some bearing related sound. The fact that the oil is not very low …

A rod knock is unlikely to be compared to rocks being spun in a tumbler. If the noise occurs when attempting to accelerate but lessens and disappears when cruising the term “ping” might be appropriate. Have you possibly pumped some diesel into the car by mistake? Has the engine temperature been abov…

See, now the diesel question is the first thing I asked my husband, but he swears he did not do that. Also, don’t they make the nozzles in such a way that you can’t do that? The engine Temp has been fine - sitting at about halfway between cool and hot same as it has since we got the car 4 years ag…

Oh - and it was loud at idle. the noise increased with acceleration, as in it was more frequent/less time in between taps.

Drive it…If the engine has serious problems, the car is totaled anyway,You can’t hurt it any more than it already is…

Saturn engines actually use a timing chain rather than a timing belt. They are based heavily on the Quad Four engine design, which also used a timing chain. With a noise like that, I would highly recommend having the car towed to a repair shop. This noise very well could be a timing chain on its …

So Far . . . 3 Tow It & 1 Drive It. Please let us know what the problem is with the vehicle. Good luck, CSA

It could be a collapsed lifter. Not a big problem if corrected promptly.

Tow or Drive - Engine Knock

Maintenance/Repairs

Rod-Knox October 31, 2011, 12:45am 8

There are so many possible causes for “can full of gravel” noise, and many could leave you on the side of the road in a desperate effort to get a wrecker and at the same time get home. It would most likely be best to get a wrecker. It may be the timing belt tensioner and it would be best to avoid driving until the belt jumps time.

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Tow or Drive - Engine Knock

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