Another ticking engine thread

[Mandingo]

Hey guys

After parking at work this morning I heard a ticking noise that was never there before. I just got home and its still making the same ticking. I am 100% positive this a new noise.

The ticking is coming from the driver's side only and it is loudest by the front driver's side wheel and under the car. This makes me think it is an exhaust leak at the HFC to header flange and not fuel injectors. However, when I rev, the noise seems to go away or is perhaps masked by the exhaust sound. Also, the oil level is 0.5cm below the H mark.

I want to get your input before I go through the trouble of taking the things off. I currently have on the Berk supplied graphite gaskets.

[SouthArk370Z]

Originally Posted by Mandingo

After parking at work this morning I heard a ticking noise that was never there before. I just got home and its still making the same ticking. I am 100% positive this a new noise. ...

Sounds like an exhaust leak. Ticking 2-4 times/sec at idle like an exhaust leak. Louder under the car like an exhaust leak (but that could be the acoustics). Exhaust leak is at the top of my list.

[Pintsize725]

I have the same noise. Uncle told me to have the dealership check for a spark plug misfire but they said it's just the fuel injector and on this car, it's a common sound.

I know nothing about cars so I can't help you. Sorry.

[Baer383]

Originally Posted by Pintsize725

I have the same noise. Uncle told me to have the dealership check for a spark plug misfire but they said it's just the fuel injector and on this car, it's a common sound.

I know nothing about cars so I can't help you. Sorry.

This is correct the fuel injectors are very noisy.

[SouthArk370Z]

Originally Posted by Baer383

This is correct the fuel injectors are very noisy.

Can they suddenly get noisier? I don't have much experience with injectors - for me, they either work or they don't. I'm an Old School carb man.

There was a much faster "ticking" sound going on that I would guess is the injectors or valves. The slower (2-4/sec) "ticking" noise is what sounds like an exhaust leak to me.

[Baer383]

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

Can they suddenly get noisier? I don't have much experience with injectors - for me, they either work or they don't. I'm an Old School carb man.

There was a much faster "ticking" sound going on that I would guess is the injectors or valves. The slower (2-4/sec) "ticking" noise is what sounds like an exhaust leak to me.

These engine's are really built strong and run great but are extremely noisy injectors are either noisy or they aren't.

B/c the engine is noisy is really becomes difficult to diagnose where a particual noise is coming from.

[SouthArk370Z]

Originally Posted by Baer383

B/c the engine is noisy is really becomes difficult to diagnose where a particual noise is coming from.

Definitely. The slow ticking sounds louder underneath the car, but so does all the other engine noise.

The OP could use a paper towel core (or other tube), one end held to an ear, to get a better idea of where the sound is coming from. Just be careful of belts and other rotating parts.

[Baer383]

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

Definitely. The slow ticking sounds louder underneath the car, but so does all the other engine noise.

The OP could use a paper towel core (or other tube), one end held to an ear, to get a better idea of where the sound is coming from. Just be careful of belts and other rotating parts.

using a long screwdriver also works well.

[SouthArk370Z]

Originally Posted by Baer383

using a long screwdriver also works well.

Yes it does. Even more accurate than a tube.

( Click to show/hide )

But I have a hard time recommending that method since I got a little too close to a spark plug wire. Didn't get my ear, but my hand tingled for a while.

[Mandingo]

Baer, you're right these engines are very noisy! I forgot to mention that I did use a 2ft piece of hard rubber hose to listen for the source. That's the only reason I was able to narrow it down to the driver's side about midway down the engine (maybe lower). From there, the acoustics of the engine compartment and other engine noises made it difficult to get more accurate.

I tried listening from under the car too but couldn't get the hose close enough to the header-cat junction to get a definitive answer. I also melted part of the damn hose in the process and stunk up the garage

SouthArk, I agree. It really seems like a leak. Some folks have had problems with these Berk graphite gaskets, so I'm just going to pull the cats this weekend. Will post pics if anything looks out of the ordinary.

Side note: I'm placing an order for ART pipes and copper RTV!

[Baer383]

If you have A/M cats they are probably leaking.

[AlexRaymond19]

Sounds normal to me man, but what do i know? My car makes the same exact noise. I did notice however that the sound got much quieter once i switched to synthetic oil, but its still there. Have heard this sound on 2 other Z's as well as asked the dealership, they said my exhaust was sound, and that its the VVEL system. They said it makes a lot of noise... Can someone confirm the VVEL is loud? I have no idea

[blackonorange]

Normal ......

[cheshirecat]

Noisy injectors. No big deal.

[Mandingo]

Thought I'd update after removing the HFCs and installing ART pipes.

There was a very small leak between the driver's side cat and header. It wasn't even enough to feel with my hand. After removing the cat I noticed carbon build up on the left edge at the skinniest part of the flange.

Back to sounding normal!