Need $.02 on ordering flex-plate parts. Help needed

[wettRunner]

Took the inspection cover off and noticed nothing out of the ordinary. I could see all the circular cut-outs and they were fine, as well as deeper to where it bolts to the engine and it is 100% intact with no cracks. Now what? Is there a change it's only cracking around the engine bolts and I cannot see it?

One thing I didn't do (doh) was check the bolts on the transmission. I suppose one could have come loose.

Is there anything else that can cause the noise? I only notice it under light load. A few times I hear it on the freeway at 2100 RPM, or when first starting the car at around 1200 RPM. The sound does change with RPM.

If it gets louder and more consistent I'll get a video recording of it.

EDIT: I moved the car and the hood was open, it was very loud. Lasted for about 10 seconds coming from the back of the engine but sounded like the top. I don't think it was the flexplate at all, I think it's valve knock on the passenger's side. I need to let the oil drain out again and see if I can pinpoint the noise. Might do a compression check too.

Mine has been making the noise for a few weeks now. I'm getting it repaired tomorrow morning. When the vehicle is completely warm, and i'm in stop and go traffic on the highway, the ticking is still ONLY at idle. If your tick varies depending on rpm, you may want to consider something else. Try to get a video of the ticking if you can.

 

[thegipper]

Took the inspection cover off and noticed nothing out of the ordinary. I could see all the circular cut-outs and they were fine, as well as deeper to where it bolts to the engine and it is 100% intact with no cracks. Now what? Is there a change it's only cracking around the engine bolts and I cannot see it?

One thing I didn't do (doh) was check the bolts on the transmission. I suppose one could have come loose.

Is there anything else that can cause the noise? I only notice it under light load. A few times I hear it on the freeway at 2100 RPM, or when first starting the car at around 1200 RPM. The sound does change with RPM.

If it gets louder and more consistent I'll get a video recording of it.

EDIT: I moved the car and the hood was open, it was very loud. Lasted for about 10 seconds coming from the back of the engine but sounded like the top. I don't think it was the flexplate at all, I think it's valve knock on the passenger's side. I need to let the oil drain out again and see if I can pinpoint the noise. Might do a compression check too.

The flexplates usually crack around the 8 bolt holes where it attaches to the crank. If that all looked fine, your noise is probably from something else.

 

[WeAreSLO]

Why are some of you purchasing new bolts as well? In the FSM this hardware doesn't have the non-reusable notation

 

[fourfive]

In case something gets broken or stripped in the process & makes me feel better replacing fasteners that have more than 200k but I wouldn't do it on any vehicle I wasn't planning on keeping. I'd imagine most do it for similar preventive purposes.