SR20DET Mystery Head Knock Sound

Random knocking sound from my SR's head. The smoke at startup is just from me pouring oil in the cylinders when doing the compression test just minutes before shooting this video (compression was perfect and even). The head knocking sound comes and goes, but around the time it occurs, the engine always stumbles around like it's suddenly on 3 cylinders or something. I know vacuum drops when it occurs too. Lifters seem good and were just bled again, along with a second set of cams installed that have less wear on them than the originals. No difference though, and no idea what's it's doing or why.

Tried installing another set of stock cams with less wear on them (original cams had kinda heavy wear on the lobes). Also used a second set of rocker arms along with a second set of shims/rockerguides. The original shims/rockerguides had extra shims added beneath them (by the previous owner) that were mutilated. I removed the metal scrap remains when I had the cams out a week before this video was shot.

[DaZedGamingHD]

I know this is a little late, but mine had a similar sound to it, although mine was more thump, but it was my VCT from where I was a little low on oil. My pressure was straight, but It was low on the dipstick. Put some in it, and it finally stopped after like 2 weeks of trying to figure out what it was. I see you said you put oil in the cylinders and stuff, but definitely make sure your engine oil level is where it needs to be. The problem with the VCT though is that yours is an S13 motor, not a notch top. As far as the car stalling down when you push the clutch in, if you watch the rpms actually drop, than that's a thrust issue. Buddy's K-Series had the same problem after he had his crank ground and they did a horrible job. Can still happen at any time though. Hope you luck out and find it. Good luck man!

[Ti__Low]

sounds like timing chain. try to replace your tensioner.

[logancampny]

Hey mate sounds like my old donk, the problem was the butterfly screw went into number 1 piston and rattled around in there, would come and go and sound exactly like that!!!!

[mattshearer]

The one that comes and goes is a bit weird.
Have you checked your tensioner and updated it to the finer tooth style?
It does sound suspiciously like a bottom end bearing in some parts when you rev it..
What are any updates??

[jessejasper]

did the noise get quieter when she warmed up

[TheEric]

okay did a compression test! luckily engine is fine! rattle was from the loose flywheel bolt and white smoke was from the blown turbo seals! no need to overhaul or overfuck anything 😂😂😂

[louiswun]

Hi, did you fix the problem ? It sounds like a collapsed hydraulic lifter to me !  

[TheEric]

now i have a rattle in the engine near the head and white smoke! the oil level in the engine is good! no oil in the coolant indicates the head gasket is good mayb a bad piston or a turbo! well i am planning for a rebuild but not sure if it is reliable

[Don.John]

Not sure if you found the problem, but it sounds like a spun rod bearing

[madnice]

I would say this sound comes from the chain tensioner because you dont have a VTC camshaft since this is a red top sr20det

[dekacster]

maybe lifters werent in a decent condition to maintain pressure.

[rossol]

I suppose it's VTC. It cannot be fixed, it should be replaced. Anyways it's not harmful for the engine

[natefigueroa]

U definitely got an exhaust leak I would check the pulleys on serp Belt. If those are all good I'd pull the valve cover that's the easiest and then if you didn't find nothing underneath there and then you'd have to drop the pan

[phr]

Had a similar noise and I too was sure it was in the head.. ended up being bottom end.

[emilyblanckensee]

Hey I was wondering if you found out what caused this? My 180sx has the same problem.

[TheEric]

i have the same problem! couldn't find the cause?

[drewskitimes]

i could heard it knocking as soon as you started it

[NEXUSREIGN]

Hey man, I follow you on insta. Still no idea what the problem was? Is it gone?

[Blaizepotts]

Having similar issue. Found I had clogged oil squirters for the cams which cooked the rockers and cams pretty good.
I'm gonna replace them and I'll let ya know how it goes. If anybody Is having this issue look at your cams.

I'm guessing you just built up enough pressure to clean the squirters, and the cams and rockers just smoothed themselves out lol lucky you.

[murrayaable]

You showed the problem at the end, no oil pressure = damaged bearings=rod knock