KA24DE rod knock??? help ?

gots me a ka24de, that possibly has a rod knock… or i think thats what it is. could use help.

theres a loud sound that comes from the motor at idle or rev. kinda sounds like metal against metal action. it does appear to be audible at any rev. the sound does seem to be coming from underneath the intake manifold, and also the bottom front of the motor (if that makes any sense, did the old long screwdriver against ear trick). i dont drive it at all after i noticed the sound, but took it out for a spin around the block to investigate (retarded idea i know, but meh) i noticed that if u give about 40-50% throttle and let the revs climb up the sound goes away, and the ka runs like a champ, no power loss or anything. confusing little bugger. the sound is there if the engine is cold or warm. At first i thought it was the timing chain tensioner, but when i took the valve cover off, i noticed the tensioners have been taken off (wtf i says to myself.) it does have a bit of sludge build up, and there are a few places where its been chipped. so now im thinking its a rod knock and need help with further steps to actually get to the bottom of this knocking. kind of a “n00b” at this so help would be greatly appreciated.

the only mod is a aem intake elbow. just letting you guys know but probably has nothing to do with the problem.

I assumed timing chain rattle from the way you described it at first, but I guess not. Never had this experience sorry I can’t really help.

pull it out and swap a new motor in, done. its prob a timing chain rattle or valve ticking. pull it apart and find out

no tensioners!!! um the chain would be wacking the sides of the timing chain oil pump housing… the chain would probably be skipping teeth like crazy on the bottom… are you sure theres no tensioners? if there isnt your engine is probably fucked your valves are probably hitting the pistons haha