Engine noise-ticking

[Bob H.]

Re: Engine noise-ticking

Yes it is. with all paperwork including initial smog inspection paperwork, pop, new car inspection sheet and a bunch of other stuff. Found the original owner and now have photos when new and at about 5 years old. Have the hardtop. The tag in the photo duplicates its original tag. engine suffix code indicates the smog equipment. trim tag 11/01, official build date 11/02. dealer paperwork 11/17 and sold 04/03 in san jose

[Bob H.]

Re: Engine noise-ticking

I'm reporting back what we found to be the "ticking" once the engine is warmed up. It also has to over 2k in rpm's to hear. First I did eliminate everything driven by a belt and had already replaced the fuel pump. It was time to replace the timing chain so we checked only to find out it had been changed and was perfect. Also everything in the bottom end looked great. Next, we started pulling plug wires and when we pulled #3, the noise went away. Good compression on all cylinders. So I'm told it is a good indication of being the wrist pin. Any thoughts on that?

[Duke W.]

Re: Engine noise-ticking

Yes, the wrist pin is a definite suspect, however, wrist pin knock is usually load sensitive. You say it only occurs above 2K, but what about load. Do you hear it when you free rev to over 2K. What about loading up the engine? Assuming it's a four-speed, apply full throttle at 1K in top gear. Give us an idea of the noise's relationship to both load and revs. Also, is it engine temp sensitive, like does it make the noise when cold, fully warmed up, or both?

It could also be "piston slap", but that is usually most pronounced when the engine is cold and goes away once fully warmed up, and it's also load sensitive.

Duke

[Bob H.]

Re: Engine noise-ticking

Hi Duke. Totally temp sensitive. quiet until warmed up.and really only heard under load. only really heard when on the gas, let off and goes quiet

[Duke W.]

Re: Engine noise-ticking

Piston slap is usually most pronounced when cold, and goes away with piston expansion as the engine warms up. The #2 piston (forged) in my Cosworth Vega is loose and makes a noticeable ticking noise under load for the first few minutes of operation, so I let it warm up for a few minutes before driving and then drive very mildly until the noise goes away at about 120F coolant temperature.

From what you've stated my bet is that it's a wrist pin. Wrist pin noise can sometimes go on for thousands of miles without consequential damage, but you should probably determine which bank it's on and, if possible, the exact cylinder, then pull the head, piston and rod, and get a new piston/pin assembly.

Find a knowledgeable person to drive with you and get his opinion.

Duke

[Bob H.]

Re: Engine noise-ticking

We found it is the #3 cylinder and a couple of people said drive it. Thats not me and I will address it.

PS: I just got off the phone after finding the owner prior to the guy I got it from. I now know the engine was rebuilt in 1998 at about 74k then driven 6k until 2004. Then from 2004 until now it had only been driven 540 miles. So that explains why everything looked good with the pan and timing chain cover off. I will let you know the final fix.

[Duke W.]

Re: Engine noise-ticking

It occurs to me that if you have not already done so you should check the lifter adjustment on that bank. It's possible that a lifter was either not correctly adjusted or a lobe is going flat.

Duke

[Bob H.]

Re: Engine noise-ticking

It really does sounds like a lifter but would the sound go away when pulling that plug wire? and happen only when hot?