Engine Noise / Ticking, Knocking, Tapping MERGED

[eric489]

All threads with vague titles regarding engine bay noises are now merged HERE.

If you honestly feel we can diagnose an internal engine problem from a poor description or low-quality video / audio sample, give it a shot.


I own a 1997 gst spyder and there is a ticking noise comming fron the engine. It comes and goes and it mostly sounds bad at idle. I have 97,000 miles on it and i change the oil regularly. I changed it about 2000 miles ago I need help to fix the problem.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Sweet. I'll see if I can find any info for that then. I'd rather this be a simple problem as anyone would, and that seems the simplest.

 

[Lou98GSX]

pull the pan and check your bearings .rod knock usually gets louder when revving engine . piston slap gets quieter when engine warms up . if it is rod knock you should be able to change the sound by pulling one ignition wire at a time .

 

[spyderdrifter]

I did do that with my plug wires, but there was no change. The noise doesn't really get louder either, its a pretty consistent decibel.

 

[Lou98GSX]

going over your description again it sounds more like piston slap but take the pan down and make sure your bearings are ok.

 

[Solace Lost]

What kind of tuning have you been doing? I spun a bearing when I first started out with a maft and no wideband. So if your rings aren't 100% and you're running pig rich you have the possibility of gas seeping past the rings and turning your oil into garbage water.

 

[spyderdrifter]

With piston slap, how can I check that without pulling the head off?

What kind of tuning have you been doing? I spun a bearing when I first started out with a maft and no wideband. So if your rings aren't 100% and you're running pig rich you have the possibility of gas seeping past the rings and turning your oil into garbage water.

I don't have any tuning programs hooked up to my car. Everything is stock. I don't have a Wideband yet but I do seem to be going through gas much faster than normal so I assume I'm running rich.

 

[Solace Lost]

Pull your dipstick out and smell your oil. If it smells a lot like gasoline its not a good sign.. rub it between your fingers and see if its still got some viscosity. If its ruined it will stop being slippery and feel like it soaked into your skin after a few seconds.. if it does smell like gas, I recommend doing a compression test

 

[Lou98GSX]

the only way i know is pulling the head and when the piston is at the top of the block you will be able to rock it back and forth quit a bit .

 

[spyderdrifter]

Yeah, that's basically what I was thinking

Thanks Solace, sounds like a good start. I'll check that out in the morning.

 

[jrs187]

It could also be the wrist pin going bad. I had that issue awhile ago thought it was a bearing so I check it all out. Drove it and it just kept clanking everything was fine until the whole piston broke around where the wrist pin sits.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Well I hope its not that, these are new pistons, rings, and wrist pins...

 

[Solace Lost]

Yeah, that's basically what I was thinking

Thanks Solace, sounds like a good start. I'll check that out in the morning.

No problem man. Make sure to keep the thread updated for future n00b searches .

 

[jrs187]

I was told my ptw clearance was not correct. Motor had 150 miles on it. Destroyed brand new 20 over pistons. I'm not sure on how to test to see if it is. Maybe if u drop the pan and have someone rotate it back and forth u might be able to hear if it is coming from that area. Good luck.

 

[custom99eclipse]

Ok ill start there going to look now

the belt looks fine unsecured the 1 bolt that holds it on to get a peak in there so maybe its not that but something under the cover, it does sound like its under the cover that reads dohc valve cover.

Bump where to look next?

 

[spyderdrifter]

I was told my ptw clearance was not correct. Motor had 150 miles on it. Destroyed brand new 20 over pistons. I'm not sure on how to test to see if it is. Maybe if u drop the pan and have someone rotate it back and forth u might be able to hear if it is coming from that area. Good luck.

Guess I'll give that a check too, won't hurt. I'll keep this updated when new info is available for you you all. Thanks guys.

 

[born2tune]

make a few phone calls around, many local shop will be glad to give you a free diagnostic with the hope that you will choose them for the maintenance.

that way you would know what is the problem, and choose from that point whether to do it yourself or hire a shop.

 

[crash89]

Do you have a basic tool set? Wrenchs and sockets?? I dont think its a rod bearing due to its inconstancy. My first thought when I actually heard what you were referring to was maybe a rocker jumped and is just bouncing around.. Id say to remove the valve cover ( Black thing on top of the motor that says "DOHC") and inspect everything and check to see if everything seems to be in order and not loose. Should be maybe 6 or 8 10mm bolts, it will most likely be sealed pretty good from the gasket so a flat screwdriver might be needed.. But be careful not to damage the gasket or the mating surface.

Thats just where I would start.. Also just check around for anything loose.. Maybe there is a couple bolts loose and due to the engine vibration it is making this rattling sound.

 

[custom99eclipse]

yes i have a ton of tools, i feel a bit better just took a closer look with car running and it sounds like the noise is next to the 16 valve dohc cover under the plastic where the belt and gears are i took off the 1 screw that exposed 2 gears and a belt so if the problem is there what could it be?

when i come to think of the sound it does sound like a busted bearing orr something ill try to get the car looked at only reason im asking is to try to narrow the problem down your guess is far better then mine i need to feel that it is safe to drive to a mechanic with out causing serious damage on the way.

Haha hope i learn proper terms/ names so i don't sound like such an idiot,

In this image (not my engine random google pic) next to the d in dhoc the ble tube to the left of it that black cover this is what im referring to it sound sliek the problems in there and i kinda hope it is seeing it seems much simpler to fix or cheaper then in the motor it self.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[crash89]

Taking the top timing cover off wont show you much. All that is under there is the timing gears and belt. The sound is pretty intermittent. Kind of hints to me it is in the valve train. Could you take the valve cover off and take a picture??

 

[turtlebain]

I have a speed determined, intermittent rattle, which sounds like it comes from the back of the car. I can only think of wheel bearings or rear differential that could be making it, unless it's actually coming from the front.. thing is though, it's hard to be under the car while driving to trace it down any better.

Sounds like beads in a blender. Something bust be bouncing around in an outer casing to make this high-pitched noise.

 

[born2tune]

I understand the merging thing but honestly when looking for information over 67 pages/8 years of disscussion it's just like looking for that special edition hotwheels car in a huge dump bucket at walmart= it ain't gonna happen.

 

[spyderdrifter]

My oil viscosity feels fine. Didn't smell like fuel either.

 

[custom99eclipse]

Turns out i did have the right idea its the timing pump and water belt $900 fix i guess but family friend is changing it for $450, said its not parts but labor that is costly.

 

[gsexxx]

Hey I was doing some research on this topic because my car is making the same exact "sparking" tick that he is describing. I always hear it at idle and the sound gets much quieter, you can hardly hear it, after the engine is warm but doesnt fully go away. And the sound speeds up with the rpm's as well. It is a very odd sound and it seems to be coming from around the coil pack. I would very much appreciate it if anyone could help me out because the majority of my searching results in lifter tick, which i do not have.

 

[ZombieSix]

My car ticks too. Sounds like its coming from intake manifold area. Not sure what it is. Kinda been putting it off..
Edit: it increases with rpm. I also have lifter tick this is a diff tick