Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan?

[plagee]

Was running the engine today and noticed that from underneath the block it sounds like a bag of marbles rolling around in the pan. Can't figure out what is causing it, has anyone had this happen or any suggestions what may be causing it? Thanks.

[special-K]

Remove pan,inspect for marbles.Serious about the first part.

[plagee]

What should I be looking for? New pan was installed to repair leak.

[corn]

I had one that the baffle in the pan came loose on one side & it rattled pretty good. Did you install an old used pan? Just an idea...

[cdowns]

could be that your oil pick ip fell off or was moved when pan was installed

[mnunn454]

Are you sure it isn't detonation (pinging) due to the timing being too far advanced? I'd try retarding the timing, just to eliminate it as a possibility.

Assuming it's not timing, When did it 1st show up? Does it ever go away at any time (e.g. when it's cold).

With your hand on the oil pan do you feel any unusual vibration? (Use max safety precautions here).

Is it manual or auto trans? Are the bolts loose, or is the flexplate cracked?

Harmonic balancer coming loose? Water pump bearing going bad?

If manual, it could be throw-out bearing or transmission input shaft bearing. Mechanic's stethescope(sp?) should help you isolate.

Good luck.

[AKChevyman]

I was thinking if it has a windage tray or something it could be coming in contact with the crank.

[special-K]

It could.Better get those marbles out,but quick!

[plagee]

The truck has been taken down to the frame, from the cab forward, as we started putting it back together most of the parts have been replaced with new, including oil pan, timing cover, carb, distributer cap, wiring harness, etc. I have not run the truck more than a few minutes at a time due to this noise. Not knowing what it is and not wanting to damage anything I am hesitant to run it longer. I only want to pull the pan off as a last resort especially if only a timing issue. Just want to eliminate all posssiblities first. Damn those marbles.

[Boog]

You mention you've used a new oil pan so that should eliminate it. What about the torque converter bolts. I have seen a couple of trucks with what sounded like a rod knocking and sounded like it was coming from the oil pan but turned out to be the three converter bolts loose. I would have bet money it was a rod. As mentioned the flexplate could be cracked and making this noise also.

[xmitsu10]

Running an auto trans? If yes, are you running it with the torque converter cover on the bell housing? I put one on, truck ran fine for about 500 miles and then the cover got sucked into the ring gear teeth (after one of my hard accelerations) and sounded like hell. Thought I did some real damage and was seeing big dollar signs until I determined it was just the cover. Removed the cover and all is fine. Don't run with it anymore.

Just another thought.

Mark

[special-K]

I had a dual-mass flywheel fail in my diesel a few months after installing a completely new motor.I started it and it sounded like the bottom end was coming out of it.I shut it down,got a ride,trailered it back home,and did an oil analysis...no metal in oil.Then I thought about that DMF.No not the guy who decided these were a good idea.The dual-mass flywheel.I pulled the trans and t-case and found it was peeling out from the center like a sardine can.I`m sure a loose or damaged flexplate or loose torque converter could ring out some racket from the bell housing.

[RACINJASON22]

DMF that put those marbles in the pan for a joke would get his cut off. J/K
I would try what was stated above Timing/flywheel issuse but, the pan coming off to have a look if they don't fix it would be my next step for sure. Good Luck with it.

[DangerBoy]

I've had that noise with mine in the past. Check your flexplate bolts and if theyre loose put in some lock washers and torque them down to the specs.

[jhow66]

Was it making this noise before you did the work on it?

[stllookn]

Get an automotive stethoscope from your auto parts store and follow the noise. It could also be the water pump going out.

[CRCustoms]

dont forget to check your turn signal fluid. and did you put the summer air in your tires yet??

[CCCC]

If you have auto trans and cannot hear any noise from within the crankcase when using a stethescope (you can make a cheap scope with a smaller diameter tin can and some thin welding rod stuck through a tight hole in the middle of the closed end), then the guys talking about loose flex plate bolts or broken plate are probably right on target. If it is a shot plate, do not run it. The result will be a chewed up pump, etc. in the trans. Hope this helps.

[plagee]

The truck has a manual trans. I don't remember the noise being there before the tear down, the engine sat without starting for about a year. Will check the timing this week. Got the summer air in the tires, Napa had to order the turn signal fluid, and they suggested to replace the sphincter valve while I am at it.

[John Fabris]

Just throwing this our there... Is the crank pully or balancer touching the front crossmember?

[wannabelow]

i did a motor swap on my 98 and had a real bad noice and it ended up being the bolts for the fly weel hitting the trany inspecting plate

[WorkinLonghorn]

OK,here's my 2 cents; I had a noise that I would describe like yours and I was all worried and it turned out to be the "rebuilt" POS AutoZone alternator that I just installed. Had bad bearings and make a bad rattling noise that I thought was further down.