Engine Knocking in 2001 Laser

[focusedxr]

Hey All

Got a 2001 Ford Laser KQ 1.8ltr with 173,000ks on the clock

Drove to the shops the other day with no problems, When i got back to the car and started it up for a good 5 seconds i had a loud constant ticking noice, Sounded like the fan was hitting something. I turned the car off thinking maybe someone has driven it to my car. Started her back up and the noise was there for another second or 2 then it stopped, sounded like it snapped off or somthing. i let her idle for another 2 minute and no problems.

I decided to drive the car home as it was under only 800meters down the road and took it easy. On the drive home it felt like it was fluttering when accelerating, only when i was nearly home. I turned the car off and let her roll to the front of the house and opened up the bonnet.

i gave it a few hours to cool down then came back out and checked the oil. The oil was on the low side so i topped her up and turned her back on. It idled fine for a good 4-5 mins then a knocking noise would pop up every 5-15 seconds, sounds like a bolt or something is loose in the engine. When it sounds like it bounces the car fluttered like its stalling it or restricting flow.

My brothers a mechanic and im getting him to try and have a look at it this weekend, Just wondering if anyone has experienced this before and what it could be.

Trying to solve the issue first to work out the cost of it to get fixed and if its worth it for the value of the car. Thinking maybe the lifters or something but just dont like the sound of the part bouncing around in the engine. Its just not constant with engine revs and just pops up randomly

Any help would be appreciated.