At about 130K the firewall rocker arm was replaced. About a week ago a noise which sounded like a loose belt started. The serpentine belt looks fine and the noise sounds like its coming from the top drivers side. I pulled the valve cover and the far right rocker looks dry above and below. The noise can be heard at speeds above 15mph easily and when the car is stopped, ususally when the RPM's hit 1000 and above. Occasionally when the car is stopped the speaking noise is there but it stops intermittently. Your help is appreciated as I'm unemployed and can't afford a new car now.

 

It won't hurt it to drive it like that. It normal for those engines to make that noise. The best way of fixing it is to replace the rocker arm assm. If I was you I would just drive it until I could afford to fix it. It not going to hurt anything.

 

Did you ck the rocker towers, they maybe cracked and that will cause some noise out of the valve cover too.

 

Thanks. When I said the rocker was dry I didn't mean the entire arm. There was plenty of oil in the block, on the arm and rockers except for the one rocker on the far right side. It was dry and I didn't see any oil underneath it on the spring or engine. Is it possible the oil hole is blocked at this one rocker? If I replace the rocker arm I'm concerned I have a more serious problem with oil?

 

Sure its possible.

 

ROCKER ARMS AND SHAFT ASSEMBLY
REMOVAL
Remove upper intake manifold assembly. Refer to procedure in this section.
Disconnect spark plug wires by pulling on the boot straight out in line with plug.
Disconnect closed ventilation system.
Remove cylinder head cover and gasket.
Remove four rocker shaft bolts and retainers.
Remove rocker arms and shaft assembly.
If rocker arm assemblies are disassembled for cleaning or replacement. Assemble rocker arms in their original position. Refer to Rocker Arm Location Left Bank for rocker arm for positioning on the shaft
INSTALLATION
Install rocker arm and shaft assemblies with the stamped steel retainers in the four positions, tighten to 28 N·m (250 in. lbs.) Rocker Arm Location Left Bank
CAUTION: THE ROCKER ARM SHAFT SHOULD BE TORQUED DOWN SLOWLY, STARTING WITH THE CENTER BOLTS. ALLOW 20 MINUTES TAPPET BLEED DOWN TIME AFTER INSTALLATION OF THE ROCKER SHAFTS BEFORE ENGINE OPERATION.

Clean cylinder head cover gasket surface. Inspect cover for distortion and straighten, if necessary.
Clean cylinder head sealing surfaces. Install a new gasket and tighten cylinder head cover fasteners to 12 N·m (105 in. lbs.)
Install closed crankcase ventilation system.
Install spark plug wires.
Install upper intake manifold assembly.

 

Do I need to remove the upper intake manifold to replace the front rocker arm? Looks like its all accessible from the valve cover?

 

No. The front ones are easy. Its the back one you'll have to take the pleunm off.

 

If there is sludge clogging the oil inlet or whatever they are called at that one rocker, is there a fix or something I could try like an aftermarket oil additive?

 

If the sludge is real bad, change the oil and filter more often. And time before you change the oil, add transmission fluid to the motor and drive for 5 mlies then change the oil. Or engine flush would do the same thing.