Had a similar issue a few months back that I swore was a bad MIVEC gear as the sound was coming from the head on the gear side. Ended up being a bad timing belt tensioner. You have to pull the lower timing belt cover to check and in my case the black grease had exited the tensioner and was everywhere. They can also fail without chunking grease so if you can move the tensioner by hand then it is toast. This essentially allows the belt to slap around causing a clacking noise on engine throttle blips.

Definitely check the filter as others have recommended, but before you tear down the motor also check the tensioner since you think the sound is coming from the head.

 

Thanks man, I will try to get to that tomorrow or Friday. Putting my ear to the valve and hand on it I swear on everything it’s in the head, the video is hard to really show where it’s at.

 

Wow I hope it is that.
Next, makes you wonder how similar some things can sound.
I also had a "rod knock" noise in a 2L engine that turned out to be an oil solenoid related.

 

The easiest thing to do at this point is remove the oil filter as several others have suggested. Cut it open with a cutoff wheel on a grinder and remove the filter element. I then use a utility knife and cut the filter on either side all the way around and then cut one slit across the filter so you can pull it apart like an accordion. If it is full of metal then more likely than not you spun a rod bearing. If you are not seeing a bunch of metal then I would check the tensioner.

 

If you use a cutoff wheel or a grinder that is going to put metal fragments into the filter which can give you misleading results. Best way to do is either get a tool for cutting filters open or tin snips.

 

No it won’t, done it dozens of times. You’re not going to imbed anything in the pleat of the filter by grinding. Pull the grinder so the sparks are coming towards you. There will be nothing in the pleats if the engine is ok. If there is metal in the pleats it’s from the engine.

 

Yeah well I've done it too and found pieces of metal in the filter that was from the filter housing. There is a reason why they make a tool that is specifically for cutting oil filters open. Works like a can opener so that it is a clean cut.

 

If no metal in oil and rods look okay, check for a bad lifter, timing belt tensioner (as mentioned), all while looking for anything else "odd".

Hopefully it's not rod knock.

 

How would you know the metal was from the housing? I see only a few random specs in the element, which are from the engine. If you had issues their would be no ambiguity for what you are seeing. Obviously cut the filter at the end and not over the element. If people want to purchase a special tool then great, but imo not needed for sanity checks.

 

So moral of the story, if no metal in filter then bottom end is good? Or is there still a possibility it’s shot? Don’t have the tools or knowledge to remove oil pan but regardless of what I find it will be going to a knowledgeable shop

 

And check the oil as it drains. It should be obvious.

 

Cause when I saw the metal in the filter dropped the pan and checked the bearings and they were in prefect shape. Put the bearings back in the motor with fresh oil. Since then I have changed the oil twice now and checked the filter both times. First time with tin snips and second time with the oil filter cutter and there was ZERO metal in the filter each time. IMO $50 is worth the cost to ensure you're not creating an issue that isn't there.

 

FWIW, when I use a cut off wheel/grinder metal gets everywhere. It washes out of places I didn't know I had. I couldn't imagine cutting open a filter with one then...er..looking for metal.
That idea wouldn't even cross my mind and I do appreciate a good shortcut.

 

nm

 

Just wanted to thank everyone for there time to give input on my car, result of the noise is a spun bearing. Sold the car and I’m on the hunt for another evo in the up coming months. Primarily looking for another X because I miss mine but I’m open to all. I do have a few parts for sale in the marketplace if anyone is Interested, thanks!