If I take off the oil pan can I tell if the rods are knocking by checking play? What would signs on wear on the bearings mean(only 5000 miles, but bad oil leak..)? Oil problem caused, or perhaps something else?

Also whats the torque spec for the rod bolts??

Can bad timing(not more then a tooth) or and oil leak(af ratio being messed up) cause the knock? Its way worse when I've been driving a while.

 

bad gas can cause a knocking sound...just like if timing is off it sounds like a knock but it is really detonation

 

So your saying its not detonating when it should if its bad gas?

 

detonation just means that the power stroke is off due to the timing being off or else the gas is bad either old or water in it making it not as volatile as it should be

 

Took it to the engine place today to ask about the piston rings, tried to show him the knock but I had full oil(maybe a bit too much even) and it was running smooth but I said its the same knock as when you first turn the car over. He said its probably oil pressure/oil loss from the oil leak and the bearings are moving around. I'm getting the rings and such soon so I'll take a look at the bearings and crankshaft but its probably most likely that.

 

cylinder 3 wrist pin is a common problem...also, if it ran low on oil, it's probably the rod bearings. the timing off one tooth will make it run like crap all the time.