3100 issues!!

[Bringer_of_knocks]

Any help/ input would be great

So, I have a 95 Grand Prix with the 3100 SFI V-6. I noticed this popping/ knocking noise, then my throttle response became slightly sluggish got home opened the hood, and listened for the noise.
Sounds to me like an upper end noise.. Similar to an injector popping, or spark knocking.
I HAVENT done a tune up yet on it, but the fuel pump is about 4 months old, filter could probably stand to be changed.. I am starting to lean toward fuel/spark delivery..

Now, I drove it earlier to work, then from work to the car wash, then to top the tank off. and it sat at home for awhile, up until I left to return a movie..

[Bringer_of_knocks]

Here's a little more info on the issue.
I let it sit over night and most of the day. Starts right up, put it in gear doesn't stall but still has the noise.
Not sure of location of noise, but it sounds like upper end, seriously sounds like somethings about to explode inside the motor

[bszopi]

How loud is the sound? Does it change with the RPMs of the engine (ie, speed up and/or get louder)?

[Bringer_of_knocks]

At an Idle there's little to no sound, with an increase in throttle its louder, but is not steady fades in and out.
Side note The exhaust seems to get choppy.. As in its not consistent
If it makes it easier I will have to make a video clip of it and post to youtube later.. lol

[bszopi]

Is the exhaust original? May be your catalytic converter starting to fail on you. Not sure if that would cause the noise, but it might.

[Bringer_of_knocks]

Figured out what it was.
I need to have some head work done.
Not what I was looking forward to doing at all, dont have the time or the money to be doing that.

[bszopi]

What brought you to the head work conclusion?

[Bringer_of_knocks]

Well thats where my knocking is coming from. But I also talked to a few of the techs i work with and they say it cud be ether of 2 items.
Ether I bent a pushrod, or cracked a rocker arm..
So I decided to venture into this wonderful issue I am currently in and took of the front valve cover (where the knocking seems to be coming from)
Sense I have not seen a cracked rocker arm I havent the slightest clue as to what I am looking for, I have seen a few bent rods before, but is there any quick way to check them?

[pmaniac69]

fire the car up and watch the rocker arm and listen, if you have a bent push rod, one rocker arm won't be pushed down as far as the other

if they all seem to be moving properly, heres an old trick to find out what rocker it is

take a socket wrench, with the engine running, put it against a rocker and push down on it and see if the noise going away, if it does, you found your issue, is i doesn't, than a rocker/pushrod is not your problem

[Bringer_of_knocks]

Hmm, Interesting never would have figured that out!
Guess i will have to try that before I go and spend the money on new parts I may not need..
Going to have to reconnect a few things and try that trick