95 sl2 engine clicking

at 126k miles my engine has started clicking until rpms hit 3500, mainly
idle and 1,2,3 gear. the pulleys and water pump cannot be causing the
problem had them replaced winter of 2004. does anyone know what might be
wrong and how much it costs to fix? trying to sell the car and dont want to
sell it to some only to have it die on them.
thank you for your time

 

More details (year, model, standard or auto trans), please.

 

1995, SL1 not 2 sry, standard 5spd, 126K miles

 

You need to try to isolate where the noise is coming from. There are
mechanic's stethoscopes available, but I've had good results from a
piece of 1"X1" putting the end of the piece of wood where you suspect
the noise to be coming from and listening on the other end. Noises
easily 'telegraph' through engines.

Does it seem to affect the operation of the engine when the clicking
is happening?

Ken

 

If it's like this, it's likely a spun bearing:

http://www.evilplastic.com/sounds/knock.wav

This sound disappeared at high RPM and under load, but was quite noticeable
at idle or cruising speed.

Lane [ lane (at) evilplastic.com ]

 

the noise isnt that loud and isnt there at cruising speed. about how much
do you think that would be to get replaced?


to ken, ill give the 1x1 a try and no it doesnt effect operation, idle rpms
are steady.

 

I have to wonder if it could be an exhaust leak at where the manifold
and the head mate.

Ken (MI)

 

wouldnt that make an air leak noise not knocking?

 

I thought you had said a "clicking" noise in your OP. An exhaust leak
can sometimes sound like a ticking or clicking noise to me. A
knocking noise, now that's something different. If not a crank
bearing, maybe a broken piston? My (now my son's) '96 SL2 had a
knocking noise that turned out to be the #2 piston had pieces broken
out of the edge. It was a repo car that I got cheap, but it truned
out to not have been too well maintained. A $700 junkyard '97 motor
fixed the problem.

Ken