Ticking or tapping sound??

[Clockworkz]

I've been noticing that my car will have a tapping sound when idleing or when slight throttle is given. It sounds like "plastic hitting metal" sound which is the best way to describe it.

I have been noticing it early in the morning or middle of the day here, but when it is night time I don't hear it happening. Now I do live in Vegas and it being 100*+ right now, maybe that has something to do with it??

Someone said that my valves just need adjusting.:confused:



Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[3gmodifier]

does it sound more predominant when u first start the engine and then settle off. it could be ur valve clearance as u mentioned. make sure you have the correct amount of oil and a good unclogged filter too. when i had my 88 sedan, i got her to over 330,000 miles before i realized how bad the noise was. checked the valve clearance and they were off by a lot. adjusted them and she ran quite, and alot stronger.

[Clockworkz]

I notice it more when I first start it and then I notice it when im in neutral and I rev the engine about 500-1000 rpms.

When I'm driving I hear it at slower speeds but not while at higher speeds (for obvious reasons).

It doesnt sound like a engine knock or anything that would alarm me to a failing engine. Its just a slight "tapping" sound.

Is there a nice write up on how to adjust the valves??

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[Clockworkz]

The car has 204,XXX miles on it right now and I'm the second owner. I checked oil a couple days ago myself as I thought maybe the oil was low and it was perfectly between the hash marks on the dipstick. I gave it a fresh oil change like a week ago.

I know the car was sitting for like 4 months before I picked it up.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[Oldblueaccord]

The car has 204,XXX miles on it right now and I'm the second owner. I checked oil a couple days ago myself as I thought maybe the oil was low and it was perfectly between the hash marks on the dipstick. I gave it a fresh oil change like a week ago.

I know the car was sitting for like 4 months before I picked it up.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

What oil and what weight......?

[Clockworkz]

10w30 shell. I got an oil leak on my oil pan so.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[2oodoor]

Not knowing much history on your car, I would still say the oil filter base adapter seal could be leaking, that drips directly onto the exhaust. If indeed that is then the oil pump gasket and seal could be leaking internally which would cause random low oil pressure and sounds that go with that. The seals are made very similar and get cracks in them. Round rubber odd shaped seals that get hard and brittle after 200,000 miles. Fairly Easy if you have any experience and cheep fix since the pump is external and the seals are not expensive. Y

[Clockworkz]

Not knowing much history on your car, I would still say the oil filter base adapter seal could be leaking, that drips directly onto the exhaust. If indeed that is then the oil pump gasket and seal could be leaking internally which would cause random low oil pressure and sounds that go with that. The seals are made very similar and get cracks in them. Round rubber odd shaped seals that get hard and brittle after 200,000 miles. Fairly Easy if you have any experience and cheep fix since the pump is external and the seals are not expensive. Y

Would cause it in the daytime and not at night intermittently. Maybe someone could explain this??

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[Legend_master]

Keep in mind that your fuel injectors also make that noise. Try using a screw driver like a stethoscope. Put the driver end on the injectors and see if it matches up the sound you are hearing. Then put it on the head, and listen for the valves clicking.

[Clockworkz]

Yeah I can hear the injectors and they are noisy but normal sounding to me. I went for a drive again tonight in it and like I said earlier, there is no "ticking" at night time. This is the wierdest thing ive ever encountered.

I didn't think of using a screwdriver to pinpoint the sound hahaha I will give that a shot tomorrow.



Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[Oldblueaccord]

10w30 shell. I got an oil leak on my oil pan so.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

10 30 should be fine. Next might be to check the oil pressure with a gauge and see where its at.

These motor are not totally silent. there some you tubes you can search for and listen. The valves do make some noise even when adjusted properly.

EDIT also on any new car purchase I keep very close eye on the oil level for a month or so. Letting it run in a minute on cold start up is also a great idea.

[Clockworkz]

I took a video of the sound im talking about. Ill post it here once its done.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[Clockworkz]

Alright heres the video hopefully it shows up.

Let me know guys.

http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid190.photobucket.com/albums/z160/stevetb03/20130729_184035_zps59cd1a3f.mp4

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z160/stevetb03/th_20130729_184035_zps59cd1a3f.jpg (http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z160/stevetb03/?action=view&current=20130729_184035_zps59cd1a3f.m p4)
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[Legend_master]

Definitely sounds like the valves, or low oil.

[firefighterwhite89]

Try adjusting the valve lash. You may also want to check for a sticking valve as well while you are adjusting the Lash.

http://www.3geez.com/forum/how/39319-adjusting-valve-lash-clearance.html

[Clockworkz]

Nice I will give that a shot here soon. Doesnt sound very hard at all.

Now how do you check for a sticking valve while im in there??

Any particular gauges to use for adjusting/checking lash? I'll have to check to see if where I work has any for sale or what have you.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[Clockworkz]

Anybody have any idea on a good valve lash tool? I'm sure it needs to be made pretty high quality.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[firefighterwhite89]

Use a 0.010inch gap gauge for exhaust and 0.006inch for the intake. They're just simple gap gauges. They're not very expensive.

Sent from My Samsung Galaxy Prevail

[Clockworkz]

Yeah I picked up a set at work for like 5 bucks. I love how cheap it is to do this job lol

Two Big questions for you guys:

1.) I know what to do for gapping them but which valves are intake and exhaust? Is it easy like the valves on the same side as the intake are intake and where the header is where the exhaust valves are?

2.) How long do you need to wait to do this job? Some have said 8+ hours but if I do that then I'll never have time to do this job.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[firefighterwhite89]

Answer to question 1-exhaust valves are closest to the front of the car on the header side. There's only 4 of them...or 1 per cylinder. Intake are closest to the firewall/intake. There are 8 of them...or two per cylinder.

Answer to question 2-I regapped mine yesterday morning. Took me 45 minutes tops. Its extremely easy as well. Make sure you pay attention though. And make sure you have good lighting.

Sent from My Samsung Galaxy Prevail

[Clockworkz]

No no I meant how long do you need to let your engine cool down before you tackle this job? Thats where I've heard 8+ hours after you've driven your car last.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[firefighterwhite89]

That's a good debate right there. Some people prefer it to be done while hot, others cold. I drove mine to Huntsville and back home, which is 50 miles then 30 minutes after I got home I did mine. No problem. It's pretty much at your own discretion. You can do it anytime though

Sent from My Samsung Galaxy Prevail

[Legend_master]

I have always heard that you need to fully let it cool down as the metal expands when hot. The gap numbers are set for the metal as cooled down temps. 8 hours seems excessive unless you live in a very hot climate, and car is sitting in the sun.

[Clockworkz]

Thanks for the info guys. I live in Vegas so right now its like 100* out so it definetely will take a good bit for the engine to cool down.

Vegas sucks to live in. I cant wait until I move back to the Seattle area.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[Dr_Snooz]

FWIW, what I'm hearing in the video doesn't sound at all like valve lash. Maybe it's just the sound quality of the vid. I'll confess that I don't have any clue as to what it could be though. Sounds like your engine is idling really high to me.

[Clockworkz]

Yeah the sound comes when the engine is revved a little bit you can hear a noise that isnt tgere at plain idle.

What are these 3g's supposed to idle at normally?

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[Legend_master]

Yeah the sound comes when the engine is revved a little bit you can hear a noise that isnt tgere at plain idle.

What are these 3g's supposed to idle at normally?

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

This is a pure guess, but I would say under 1000, and over 500. Load has to be taken into consideration. Easy to idle with no ac, or ps. With either it all depends on load based on throttle position. Eventually the power vs fuel ratio stops making power, then the power ratio must be considered.

[Clockworkz]

I figured somewhere in the 500-1000 rpms myself. Mine idles at a stop light with no AC on at all at 1500 rpms and ends at 1300.

I know theres a hose I need to replace by the throttle body (its a red hose for me) that has a leak so I do need to fix that soon as my gas mileage has sucked big time so far this month that I've owned this car.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[Dr_Snooz]

Recommended idle speed in the service manual is 750 RPM, though something closer to 1000 seems to work best all around.

[Clockworkz]

I bet that all I beed to do is fix that vacuum leak near the intake and all will be good again. Or the idle air control motor is dirty or shot to hell lol

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[bullard123]

Yeah. 900 rpm's is where you wanna be