Hi all,
I'm a little new to cars and my 1987 RX-7 is my first car. When I start it up and go at low speeds I hear a little knocking sound. What does this mean? What do I do to get it Fixed? Or is it normal for an older car to make odd sounds???

 

Turbo, non turbo? stock or mods? only when cold? warm and cold?

I don't have an answer for you, but others will be asking these questions.

 

non turbo stock on a cold start. it's kinda quiet, when you drive with the window down you can't hear it. When you get up to speed you can't hear it well. Maybe the engion is louder then the sound

 

My stock non turbo makes popping noises at low RPM cold as well, I'm pretty sure it's just backfiring a little.

Edit: they're also very soft noises, sometimes my window's gotta be down.

 

should i worry???

 

I don't

 

you guys need to perform some kinda tune-up. My car never made the noise you guys are talking about. When and how frequent do you hear a sound? Is it only when letting off on the gas or does it seem to be independant of the throttle? can you hear it on the freeway? is it faster/louder there, or is it the same. My car backfires when I go from WOT to low/no throttle but I doubt that's what ur experiencing.

 

oh i found out whell driving tonight that sound isn't from the engion. It comes from the back right of the car. now the other day i hit a small 2X4 in the drive way could that have done it.???

 

check the driveshaft boots, one might be ripped and leaking grease and the C.V. joint worn causing the noise. if it is the case then you will need to replace the worn joint or the complete shaft.

 

how do i check the driveshaft boots and what's a C.V. joint??? I know nothing about cars

 

u got to check melong first

 

get a haynes manual, it will explain what to look for and how to service them if they need to be.

 

Mine does it at steady throttle positions, not so much with my new battery (old one=dry), my BAC valve sticks (it seems especially if the car's been run hard, but I think it's something else that's worse making the effect more pronounced), and my plugs are pretty fouled. I'm not sure what condition my coils are in either... but I haven't had the car for long, and... that money stuff... but yeah, I agree... tune-up. It runs strong WOT though, showed a WRX how to drive down my favorite back road tonight... no driveways or intersections for a good 10 miles... twisty as hell and deserted

 

start your car and with the parking brake on, stick your head under the car right before the rear tire... Do you hear a slight exhaust leak? If so, exhaust leaks will make little "popping" noises when the car is cold. Mine has a real small exhaust leak, and it makes noises when cold. If the engine has a slight misfire when cold, you will deffinately notice more with a slight exhaust leak.

 

will chek before work. i'll get back to you one that, i already know that theres a small exhaust leak near the front of the car cause at high revs i get exhaust in the car throught the gear shifter.

 

ok i put my head underthere and i heard a small hissing is that the exhaust leak...????

 

??

 

No.
Exhaust leaks, especially at the engine, will sound like putt-putt-putt-putt-putt...


-Ted

 

oh ok, um my head wasn't under the engion it was under the rear tire. i'm trying to find out why my stock non-turbo makes a knocking sound out of the back right of the car.