99 Intrigue 3.5L engine "tapping" noise??

"The Dog" wrote

There haven't been very many problems with that engine. But... we have replaced a few that decided to spit out the front bearing shell on the balance shaft. This leads to a loss of oil pressure to the cylinder heads and camshafts, and you get what sounds like a lot of valve "lifter" noise. Of coure, these engines dont really have "lifters", but it's the same basic concept.

Here is a picture of one that I recently had to replace. The balance shaft grinds it's way into the aluminum block, so you have no choice but to replace the entire engine.

Note: This may not be the problem. I haven't run into many other problems on these engines noise wise. We have had some issues with oil burning, and oil leaks...but that's about it.

Ian