hey all... my FD was making a funny noise tonight when i warmed it up to head out cruising, so i decided to stay home. the car was totally warmed up, idle around 1050 and vacuum -450 range, and there was a distinctly fast 'ticking' sound emanating from underneath the hood (car warmed up for 15 mins)... i don't remember ever hearing this particular sound before in the 5 years i've owned my FD, does anyone have a clue what, if anything, i should check on her?

she just got back together, engine is fresh, aggressively ported w/ ceramic-coating, and still being broken in (320 miles so far) and this just started tonight. sorry i cant be more specific about the sound but it was dark and i couldn't go hunting for it until tomorrow, i just turned her off. anything jump to mind w/ a ticking sound like that? thx all...

 

I had a similiar problem. My engine was rebuilt in MAy, and I noticed the same thing. On one occasion, my car started tciking VERY loud, would not Rev over 3000 RPM, and barely crept olng. I was going to go right to mazda, so I left, and I decided it wasn't gonna get me there. then I waited 10 minutes, started it again, and it was fine. I still can hear a very subtle clicking at idel coming from the back of the engine bay.

When I got it to mazda, they found no problem, and I wasted $100 on an inspection. NO clue what actually happened either.

 

hmm, i haven't had any of the performance problems your getting mine can still rev to normal levels, the ticking is just damn strange sounding...

 

it does the ticking sound still, although BARELY noticeable. the performance problem was on only one occasion. otherwise my engine run perfectly. I'd like to know what was casuing it to myself.

 

Lots of cars will experience this, put a can of Risilone in next time you change oil, it will free your lifters up and eliminate the ticking. Now if you had a true V-tech setup you wouldn't have to worry......








Just kidding!

Is it possible you are hearing a spark jumping from a coil or plug?
Does the sound increase in volume or in frequency if you rev the engine? Possibly a drive belt is making noise? If you have a stethoscope it might help you out here a little.....

 

Bajaman is correct. It could be a loose spark plug boot causing the spark to jump producing that "ticking" sound. Check if it is rpm sensitive. I once had a similar problem with a "ticking" sound emanating from the engine bay and when I finally found what it was, I had a laugh. It was a nylon tiestrap that was holding the wires coming out of the two crank angle sensors that was touching the small tab (signal pick-up) on the back of the main pulley. I could not see where it was coming from. Check that as well.(If you have a tiestrap there)

 

hehe, uhoh... i got under the hood just on friday and tied some loose wires together w/ nylon tiestraps, i definitely am going to go take a look at that now... thx Mach2!

 

I get a fast ticking sound when I hook up my AC. So I left it disconnected, and now...no noise

 

The ticking noise I have is from my downpipe. When it was installed, (it has a thinner wall than Precat and less noise dampening hence turbo whistle), I would notice it during idle. Especially next to a wall. It wasn't loud or anything. Just noticeable if you listen for it. Its the exhaust gases passing through the DP.

 

hmm... more things to look at. i don't have an AC at all, so its not that... and my DP is pretty thick stuff, it was made along w/ my manifold... the weather did get a lot colder here in houston though, perhaps its related to that. screw it, i'm driving..!

 

Check to make sure the boots that connect your plug wires to the coils are on really tight and have dielectric grease on them. You really have to shove them on tight especially with most aftermarket stuff.

 

Check to make sure its not coming from the airpump... I had these symptoms right before my alternator went out. Car would click (sounded like a relay opening/closing) at idle. It would stop past 2500rpm.

Shortly after that my Voltage light (Cant remeber what its called specifically) would come on sometimes at idle but not fully illuminated, just barely so you could see it.

Shortly after that my alternator died.

Its a quick test.. With the car running just disconnect the battery terminals. If the car has touble idling or running you should have your alternator checked out.

 

I had a ticking in my 87 T2 and it was the connection to the Air Control Valve, fixed the wiring and it cleared. I also had a problem with my fuel pump once and I could hear the injectors clicking like that. Did that post mention using Rislone to keep your lifters from ticking??? lifters?

 

Ah just noticed the "just kidding" at the bottom of bajaman's post. great humor.

 

I had that with the air pump as well. It eventually turned into almost a squeak before it completely locked up. If it is the air pump, you should be able to hear it eminating from there if you listen carefully under the hood. Replaced it and it's fine now.

 

hmm, i will check my plug wires... i don't have an air-pump any longer after going to single/haltech, so that one shouldn't apply... i did replace my alternator w/ a factory new unit about 3 months ago, but my FD has been plagued w/ electrical problems since i bought it 5 years ago, so i won't rule it out... thx friends..