Ticking sound?

[jsilva]

For those who know this particular engine well, I wanted to get some input on ticking sounds.

1. It’s much more audible from inside the car with the windows shut. I didn’t even really notice it until I’ve had to shut the windows due to it getting colder.

2. I used a stethoscope and the loudest I heard the ticking was from around cylinder 1, specifically when touching the exhaust heat shield, the cat shield, and the timing cover a bit lower down. I didn’t hear it very clearly from the valve cover or the intake side of the engine.

3. It is most noticeable right before the RPMs settle into their lowest at idle. You’ll hear the tapping around 1000RPMs and it’ll quiet down around 900.

4. If I hear it while driving, it’ll only be with light acceleration. If I press the accelerator pedal even just a bit more and apply more load the ticking immediately goes away.

Any ideas would be much appreciated!

 

[L337TurboZ]

Check for an exhaust leak? Is it louder with the engine cold or warmed up?

 

[jsilva]

Check for an exhaust leak? Is it louder with the engine cold or warmed up?

Once the RPMs settle down after a cold start it seems about the same. I’m not sure I can hear it before then.

It does seem louder at the exhaust manifold heat shield rather than the cat shield. If it’s an exhaust leak would that likely suggest an issue with the exhaust manifold/gasket?

 

[jsilva]

This morning I listened while the car was warming up and can say the engine being cold or hot doesn’t seem to make a difference.

 

[L337TurboZ]

Try taking the drive belt off and see if the ticking noise goes away. If it does then it could be a pulley or driven component. Otherwise it may be something with the motor itself. Anyway you could post a video of it?

 

[jsilva]

Sorry for the delay in getting back to this. I wanted to take off the heat shield to get better access to the exhaust manifold which means I’ll want to take off the intercooler (and also extract one of the heat shield bolts where the head broke off). But I’ve also been wanting to wait on the Corksport TMIC which I ordered in July because they said it’d come in Nov…

And I also wanted to change the oil to see if that made any difference. I did that today, and it didn’t.

In any case, as soon as I can I’ll have a look at the exhaust manifold for leaks and also get a recording.

 

[Ink02]

Anything on this? My gen2 is making the noise you described. On the drivers side it’s most audible in between the heat shield and the valve cover.

 

[jsilva]

Anything on this? My gen2 is making the noise you described. On the drivers side it’s most audible in between the heat shield and the valve cover.

I actually have been really lazy about it. Though the other day I noticed that when I turned the steering wheel and let go quickly and when the engine would change RPMs slightly, I thought I was hearing that tick. So I went to the engine bay and asked someone to do the same thing. I was wondering if it was coming from one of the pulleys.

Eventually I’ll investigate it more thoroughly. I’m concerned I didn’t put the buckets back in the right order (I thought I did…). So if I have to take the head off I’ll plan on rebuilding it while it’s out. But that won’t happen until summer.

Please post here if you figure out your issue.

 

[Ink02]

I actually have been really lazy about it. Though the other day I noticed that when I turned the steering wheel and let go quickly and when the engine would change RPMs slightly, I thought I was hearing that tick. So I went to the engine bay and asked someone to do the same thing. I was wondering if it was coming from one of the pulleys.

Eventually I’ll investigate it more thoroughly. I’m concerned I didn’t put the buckets back in the right order (I thought I did…). So if I have to take the head off I’ll plan on rebuilding it while it’s out. But that won’t happen until summer.

Please post here if you figure out your issue.

I will, I’m gonna take the heat shied off this weekend and investigate for an exhaust leak.

 

[Johnnydoe]

Did you figure this out eventually? Having the same tapping sound at idle ~1000 RPM...

 

[jsilva]

Did you figure this out eventually? Having the same tapping sound at idle ~1000 RPM...

I don’t think I found the issue, and honestly I’m not sure if it still does it and I’ve just gotten used to it! I think I decided it wasn’t a big deal.