# Valve train noise **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** prizm, chevrolet\ **Created:** [August 2, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/valve-train-noise/34407 "2009-08-02T20:54:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rwilliams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/74df32/32.png) [@rwilliams](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rwilliams)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/valve-train-noise/34407/1 "2009-08-02T20:54:31Z")
2001 prizm making a chatter noise when giving gas. is not leaking oil does anyone know what the problem could be? ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2009, 9:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/valve-train-noise/34407/2 "2009-08-02T21:22:14Z")
Spark knock due to clogged EGR, timing off or carbon deposits? ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2009, 9:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/valve-train-noise/34407/3 "2009-08-02T21:27:00Z")
I agree with circuitsmith. This “chatter noise” that we cannot hear is likely to be spark knock or “pinging”. You need to have maintenance–and possibly some repairs–made to this car. Failure to do this will result in damage to the valves, and the cost of repairing valve damage will probably be equal to the car’s book value. Deferred maintenance is not a good bargain. ---
**Author:** ![rocketman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@rocketman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rocketman)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/valve-train-noise/34407/4 "2009-08-02T21:56:12Z")
How many miles on your prizm? Do you do your maintenance on schedule? When did you last do a “tune-up”? plugs/wires/cap/oil change/oil filter/air filter . . set the timing? Rocketman ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2009, 10:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/valve-train-noise/34407/5 "2009-08-02T22:52:10Z")
If it was “valve noise” it would do it all the time, not just under acceleration. Check the timing and possibly a cracked exhaust manifold…