I just changed my oil in my 03 mm and my annoying valve train ticking is now knocking. There is plenty of oil per the dip stick and the pressure gauge says 68 psi. when I cold start it, it knocks loud then calms dow a bit but is definitely worse than before. idle is smooth and
seems to have plenty of power driving, I just drove it 40 miles and it didn't get worse but didn't get better either. any Idea's what's knocking? doesn't sound quite like a rod bearing but it's worse then valve noice???? I have never heard a main knock so it could be that. i removed the belt to take away the ps, ac and alt. and still knocked so it's not an accessory.

the car has 130k on the clock so it's no spring chicken but it's not an old timer either. does anybody think that a new top end would fix
it or does it sound like I need an entire motor?

or is there a chance it's a flat lifter? though I put a rod on the rocker covers to listen if the noice was coming from there and it seems it's
coming from lower in the motor then the rockers.