There is a helicopter in my drivetrain

[zero97tsi]

Indeed it sounds like there is one when I accelerate. I just noticed this on the way to work, when I start making it work it make small hollow sounding "ticka ticka ticka" sound, but not on flat ground where it doesnt need to do much work, it's really only when I'm going up hill, or accelerating hard.

Anyone know what this could be? I've noticed that a sounds on that car always sound like theyre originating from a central point so Im at least hopeing its something maybe... common...

 

[architechnik]

Sounds like your timing is out of whack. It could be as far as your valves smacking against your pistons (VERY BAD). When was the last time you had you timing belt replaced?

If it weren't so loud, it could be your lifters ticking (not so bad) or a dirty pcv valve clicking away (even less bad). Although as you describe it, it sounds somewhat serious.

(Oh, and make sure there aren't any tools you left under the hood that are clanking around... yeah it sounds stupid, but I've done it a number of times.)

EDIT: Check to see if any of your belts are rubbing or frayed, too. Those toothed belts that go around the steering pump can make quite a racket.

 

[zero97tsi]

I'm pretty sure it's not the valves. It's a thought but it just doesnt sound like that to me, and the timing belt is fairly new, but I'd like to replace it soon. And i would think after being driven for about 2 weeks now I would be in worse shap if it were the valves.

I've done the tools thing too I always feel dumb when I got "Oh shite, whats that noise!?" and realize it's the 14mm and the ratchet in the little "tool bin", as I call it under the hood ahead of the radiator.

Anyway, I'll go inspect the belt and see if it looks bad.

 

[architechnik]

My friend and I were playing around/working and he asked me to pop the hood and give a couple of revs. Right after the second rev he asks if I recently changed the radiator cap. For the life of me I couldn't figure out how he knew from the sound of the engine. Then he hands me the old cap that was sitting right by the hood latch!

 

[FlyByNight]

From how you describe the noise to only happen when the engine is under load, it leads me to think it's a small crack in the exhaust manifold. If you are careful, you can hold your hand several inches away and feel the leak. I am not sure how often this happens on DSMs, but seems to happen on truck V8 engines every so often.

 

[91talon27]

I would also check for the leak around where the flex pipe joins the solid pipe under the car. They are kinda bad about breaking there they are hard to see sometimes so you may have to feel around the area with your hand.

 

[the_skin_eater]

check your oil.