My 2002 ES has this loud "clacking" noise coming from the valve train area then I'm just cruzing along. Not when the car is under load, just minimal throttle input. It happens most between 2 and 3K RPM. When I gas it, it goes away.

 

I know when your running low octane gas there is a "clacking sound" from lack of bang but it is no real problem run some supreme and see if it stops if not take it to the service dep.

 

If I remember correctly this is common with the 4g93 and 4g94. I don't remember their being a problem with it. A search would probably weild more results and explainations.

 

I did try higher octane fuel & it was about the same. I always use 76 gas too. I did put in some 10-30 and 10-40 oil & it helped a small bit.

So the 4G94 motor has a history of this? Interesting. Cuz it sounds lousy. Sounds like a 84 Dodge Aries K car or something!

Does the Lancer have adjustable valves? Could that be an issue? My car has 20K miles.

 

This is the only incarnation of the 4g94 in the states. It's a relatively unused engine. It's basically a bored 4g93 so they share just about everything good and bad.

 

If oil helps it out you might have a leak somewhere and the clacking sound is the product you might want to check that out, I know a friend of mine had his oil pan stripped out by jiffy lube once

 

my engine make the same sound..its not that loud...the valve cover isn't that thick so sound of the valves moving does make a lot of noise. mine is the loudest during a cold start when the motor oil is not moving easily cuz it is cold. i'm sure its nothing to worry about..when your car starts studdering or boging out then i'd worry.

 

man you must have a worenty on the car just take it in and let them figure it out. thats why you paid for it right

 

Ditto...how many times we've covered this is beyond me.

 

I've read those posts, but mine seems worse than those. It's really loud. I can hear it going down the freeway. CAn you show me some links to those threads?

 

the dealer even said it might not be normal, but they grenerally suck!

 

Correct me if I am wrong but I thought it was worthless and a waste of money for people to use higher octane gas when your car does not call for it. There is no performance gains from it from my understanding.

 

Indeed. Unless your timing is advanced, you're running a forced induction setup or a setup where premature detonation might occur then there are no benefits.

 

I had a similar problem with my previous car, except that it wans't going away when I filled the tank. My problem was a bad spark plug. The gap wasn't right. As soon as I got the plug changed everything was just fine.

 

If you really think something is wrong, just take it to the dealer, its still under warranty.