ticking/exhaust leak??

qikcpa · qikcpa's Garage

I have a 3.0 with a pretty pronounced ticking. I have adjusted the valves (twice) and it still ticks. will pull the valve cover and try to tighten the rockers. If that doesnt work I hope its an exhaust leak. Does anyone know of a way to test for an exhaust leak. If I pull the plug wire while running (other than get shocked), if its an exhaust leak will the tick go away or maybe be reduced. any other ideas would be appreciated.

Jim Richards · 12-10-2003, 07:40 AM

do you have SSI heat exchangers? I have a ticking from them as they heat / cool. normal stuff.

qikcpa · qikcpa's Garage

sorry for the bonehead response but what is an SSI heat exchanger. Its a noise which varies with engine RPM, . My little stethascope says its coming from the right exhaust valvecover. I've read many posts re:ticking,sewing machines, etc but thinks its a bit too loud/sharp to be normal. Is there a database of engine noise wav files anywhere.

Jim Richards · 12-10-2003, 07:52 AM

SSI - Stainless Steel Industries, maker of excellent aftermarket heat exhangers (part of your exhaust system). If it was due to thermal expansion / contraction of SSI's, it wouldn't vary with RPM. Sounds like a valve that's still out of adjustment. Pulling a plug wire wouldn't have any effect other than making the engine run worse. Did you adjust valves with the engine "stone cold?"

qikcpa · qikcpa's Garage

definately stone cold. I even think they are on the tight side( not planning on driving yet, just trying to get reid of the ticking). have you had any experience with tightening the bar the rockers pivot on. seems pretty straghtforward. You think i would trash the engine if I pulled a set of cylinder rockers, put it back together and ran for 10 seconds (to see if the noise is coming from the valvetrain). just curious.

Superman · 12-10-2003, 09:26 AM

Put a piece of hose in your hear, and the other end near the exhaust flanges. Probably an exhaust leak.

Alternatively, adjust the valves. If those two things do not turn up a solution, then turn the engine so that the valve is depressed about 10mm, and try to wiggle the exhaust valve stem side to side. If it wiggles much, then the ticking may be a very worn valve guide.

qikcpa · qikcpa's Garage

hadnt thought about the valve guide. it does smoke a little. does replacing the guide require pulling the head, or can it be done in the car?

osidak · 12-10-2003, 12:24 PM

My car is also making a pronounced ticking as described above.

Sounds becomes louder more noticeable when the engine is hot. Readjusted the valves and had the same noise. Had a pro adjust the valves (assuming he did a good job) that rules out valve adjustment.

EBS did a valve job for me ~ 10,000 miles ago so I would assume guides are ok.

I have SSI's on the car. Sound appears to be coming from the drivers side. I assume at this point it is an exhaust leak. Bought some high temp ~750 degrees gasket maker and thought I would try that out to see if I can get a better seal between the flange and heads.

Any other suggestions?

gustaf · 12-10-2003, 12:30 PM

Have you looked at the exhaust ports to see if there is any signs of carbon that would indicate an exhaust leak?

One other possibility it could be is a blown head gasket (ask me how I know

) This provides a pretty loud tick all the time that made me think the valves were out of adjustment. You would need to do a compression check and leak-down check to help you determine that.