Okay, as some of you remember, I had new struts and tires put on my car a couple of weeks ago. At the same time a major engine service was performed that included new belts and a water pump.

Ever since then I have noticed 2 new sounds. Engine knock when accelerating, usually in 2nd or 3rd gear (manual transmission) that wasn't there before.

Other sound is a clicking or flapping (like a piece of paper or a card snapping) in time with the wheel revolutions. It seems to be on the driver's side but I can't tell exactly where it's coming from. Wheels, I assume, but don't know what.

I checked the tires, thinking they might have picked up a nail or a bolt, or a piece of gravel. I removed a piece of gravel from a tread groove but the noise is still present. The car also pulls a little to the right, which I never noticed before.

Before I call the shop and take it back in, any ideas what the problems are?

I'm guessing something lame like they didn't adjust the valves properly during the tune-up, and did something else wrong when mounting one of the wheels.

Ral

 

Without hearing the knocking sound or where exactly it's coming from I would suggest looking at the following two things: 1 could be a motor mount, 2 if he replaced any spark plugs or wires, he might not have pushed one of your wires all the way down onto the spark plug which would result in a little unusual knocking sound coming from the engine...a motor mount is a little more obvious because it causes a pretty big shake that you would notice instantly and woudl not be intermitent.

Hope this helps.