'99 Cavalier 2.2 suddenly developed a moderate 'clacking' noise. The noise is the same, whether the engine is hot or cold. I get a pretty strong match to the sound, when I listen to a stick on the rocker arm bolt for #1 exhaust. All-in-all, It sounds like a noisy lifter to me; but, I've been wrong once or twice.
- Given that I can hear it on the rocker arm, is there anything else that would likely cause this noise? More the point - and given that the noise showed up abruptly - is a more catastrophic failure likely?
- Is there an 'informed consensus' on whether there'd be any point in trying various additives and/or oil rituals? I've never been much for such things, but ... .
- I've read that this can do some damage to the camshaft. We'd like to get maybe another 10K miles out of the car. Would significant camshaft damage occur be expected in that time?
Thanks, G