[Budsurfn]

When i turn my car over to start it it clanks, after that it runs fine, I originally thought it was a stud that holds down the intake filter, after removing that and the manifold and taking a magnet to the inside of the head ports I can not find anything, any ideas of what it can be? I dont want to have to tear down in the wrong direction and have no funds for a rebuild, so any ideas before I do something stupid?

[c5farmer]

I had a four cyl. engine that made a "tinny" sound at idle. The cause was a broken timing chain tensioner and worn out timing chain. When the rpm's came up the noise would go away. The problem was found after changing the water pump!! Put a wooden dowel to your ear and to the timing cover, listen for the noise.

Also check your flex plate and bell housing cover to make sure they are not loose.
Good luck in finding your noise.

[Poncho-V]

X2 what Farmer said. Flexplate, bellhousing, and starter, is where I would look first.

[Budsurfn]

I had a tooth missing on my starter, hopefully that's all the issues I have once I put it back together!

[mechanickeith]

While starter is out,,,mark the flywheel & then roll the motor over real slow & inspect the flywheel ring gear!! make sure no teeth are missing or damaged. If it is,,, you will just be tearing it apart again to replace the ring gear.

[Budsurfn]

Is it a pain to replace them? The edge of all of them have a angle to it, is this normal?

[mechanickeith]

To replace the ring gear, the flywheel will have to come out. All the teeth should have a machined bevel to them. This helps the starter bendix engage. Make sure none of the flywheel teeth are damaged/missing.