M.R.S. wrote:
> > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> >I swear I'm gonna blow this thing up... Same 1996 3.3L caravan that I
> > replaced the fuel pump on and mysterious tensioner issues.
> >
> > Last night while coming home from work I noticed the engine started
> > making a knocking sound. I'm not sure what rod knock sounds like, or
> > even what causes it, but this may be it.
> >
> > I only hear the "knocking" sound when I accellerate. If I'm idling, or
> > if I'm cruising under 1500-2000rpm, I don't hear it. If I have to
> > accellerate even mildly from a light, I hear it.
> >
> >
> > I know thie description is vague, but if anyone can help with this it
> > would be appreciated.
> >
>
> Could be "spark knock".. pre-detonation/ignition.

High mileage 3.3's had a problem with rocker tower cracking that would
cause noise. I believe that this problem was corrected before the 1996
model year.

-Kirk Matheson