Definitely valve train, top end issue. Those engines were the first generation that have the piston deactivation so it’ll cut off the fuel to 3 of the cylinders. a lot of times there was a oil problem with them so some parts would still be running dry. which not doing anything about it, it’ll get worse and worse, at that point of this car depending on how long it’s been acting wire and making those noises, it can go from just the head replacements to a whole new block so basically a new engine swap. Most likely that one is gonna need a new engine. which you can find in the junkyard for a few hundred. Me personally I wouldn’t trust that car for 30-50k miles.
I’d be careful driving that either with the check engine light flashing. Usually when that light comes on it’s steady meaning there’s a minor issue. When it’s flashing like that it means there’s a more serious issue and it shouldn’t be driven. I’d get that checked out before something catastrophic happens to the van
If this is helpful to you or anyone else to hear, the noise, we are hearing is most likely not going to be in the belt. However, it will most likely be something that the belt is driving. It will be a tensioner, an idler, alternator, perhaps power steering pump something like that. Thanks so much for sharing. Have a great evening.
