Super Clean 96 with 112k miles has a knock/ping/tick

[Astro Pop]

Is it me or did it sound louder when the camera was under the chassis? That would worry me. I stand by original comment, assume the worst.

[Mmusicman]

It's an awful loud "lifter tick" (in my opinion)... but maybe?
Trying to determine on a video can certainly sound a little different than in reality.
Sometimes a really good deal can be had with a lifter tick!

On the other hand.. I once had a lifter tick that turned out to be a wiped-out lifter and cam.
20 years later I still haven't freshened up that engine yet... it still sits on a stand.

It sounds more like a tick, and less like a knock to me.. which "could" be a good thing.
But like I said.. my tick turned into a knock.. which was a bad thing.
Turn out my tick was a bad wrist pin... the engine is history now.

It did seem almost as loud above the engine as below (at least on video)
This could be a good thing.

Not sure how a cracked flexplate sounds in front of engine.

It's also usually helpful to rev the engine to see how the tick/knock reacts...
as well as see how it sounds under load.
My experience.. bearings are usually less likely to knock under certain load, a lifter won't know the difference.
But a bearing knock will change with load and rpm regardless... there's no mistaking it!

Rev it.. see if the tick changes.. which would more likely be a bad thing.
Except for cracked flexplate.. which would be a good thing. lol

Exhaust leaks on the other hand tick during load (or while accelerating), but not while coasting.

You could slip off the belt to be sure it's not an accy.. one of the first easy things I usually do.
A stethoscope might help point you toward the problem such as a valve-train issue.. if the culprit.
If I owned the van and I ruled these out.. then my next step I'd probably disconnect the torque-converter to listen and see if it's the flexplate (common failure too). But it seems maybe a little too loud on top for this?

[JKlug81]

It's also usually helpful to rev the engine to see how the tick/knock reacts...
as well as see how it sounds under load.
My experience.. bearings are usually less likely to knock under certain load, a lifter won't know the difference.
But a bearing knock will change with load and rpm regardless... there's no mistaking it!

Rev it.. see if the tick changes.. which would more likely be a bad thing.
Except for cracked flexplate.. which would be a good thing. lol

When you rev the engine, the tick speed up with the RPMs. When driving it, they accelerate when the engine winds up, and then slow down as the engine does.

I made an offer of $500. The seller wasn't impressed, I told him to work with me and counter.... waiting for a counter offer. I think my max on this one would be 1k. The full asking price is $2250

[AstroWill]

I made an offer of $500. The seller wasn't impressed, I told him to work with me and counter.... waiting for a counter offer. I think my max on this one would be 1k. The full asking price is $2250

Without engine issues it's worth $2250

[JKlug81]

Without engine issues it's worth $2250

Agreed.

What would you offer for this van with its current issue?
It also needs tires, an alignment and a new cat.

I'm looking at an equally clean 02 Safari AWD with 200k miles. It runs as good as it looks. They are asking $2800.

[AstroWill]

Without engine issues it's worth $2250

Agreed.

What would you offer for this van with its current issue?
It also needs tires, an alignment and a new cat.

I'm looking at an equally clean 02 Safari AWD with 200k miles. It runs as good as it looks. They are asking $2800.

Personally I would be looking at $5-700, unless I already had a cheap engine lined up for it. Also I would be doing all my own work.
It's at a shop, if they thought they could fix it and turn a profit, they would fix it instead of trying to sell it as it sits.

I would be more interested in the 02 as it's a running vehicle, has some decent improvements over the 96, and it's running. But condition overall is something you have to look at. Also, asking price doesn't always = the price you pay ;)

Here is a quick rundown of things that have changed over the years: https://sites.google.com/site/astrosafa ... enerations

[JKlug81]

I would be more interested in the 02 as it's a running vehicle, has some decent improvements over the 96, and it's running.

Im actually trying to get both vans.....

As far as a replacement engine is concerned, I still have the carcass of my 97 that burned back in December sitting in the driveway. Its engine was running beautifully when it died.

[Sailing_Faith]

I would be more interested in the 02 as it's a running vehicle, has some decent improvements over the 96, and it's running.

Im actually trying to get both vans.....

As far as a replacement engine is concerned, I still have the carcass of my 97 that burned back in December sitting in the driveway. Its engine was running beautifully when it died.

sweet!

[AstroWill]

As far as a replacement engine is concerned, I still have the carcass of my 97 that burned back in December sitting in the driveway. Its engine was running beautifully when it died.

Yep, that definitely makes it an easier purchase.