i have a 1998 dodge stratus 2.4L dohc. (the eighth digit of vin is a X) Well i ran over some snow and there was a huge rock under it.. not knowing i hurt anything i drove it home. come to find out i tore a hole threw the oil pan. so now the engine knocks really loud and i was told it was lifters or a valve.. the knocking sounds like its coming from the top end of the motor, i took off the valve cover and the valve springs do not seem to be broke and everything looks o.k. on sight. can anyone help me figure out what to do im very low on money and cannot afford a mechanic.

 

You say tore a hole in the Oil pan... The lifters will tick progressively louder when there is NO OIL in the engine. Park it and get that pan fixed and top off the oil before you have a very heavy paperweight instead of an engine.