Valve noise question
 

1987 911 Targa, 50k miles..

I *think* that only one of my valves ( either cyl#1 intake or exhaust ) is making a tapping noise and have gotten the valves professionally adjusted once ( after adjusting them myself three times ), but the 'problem' persists

Here's the prob..

There is NO noise when the engine is cold but once it warms up I get the tapping BUT not all the time.. The tapping comes and goes...

What I mean to say is while driving next to those cement barricades ( which reflect the sound ) say on a 1 mile stretch, I will hear the tapping ( loudish ), blip the throttle and 6 times out of 10 the tapping will go away ( Entirely ! ) only to come back about 1/4 mile later.. Three times out of 10 I could be just cruising along ( on cruise control ) and the tapping noise will come and go on its own.

At first I thought it was my imagination, but I have confirmed over and over that this IS what is occurring..

What I am asking is this. What could cause this phemon ?

Thanks in advance guys

I think I have a similar issue... just subscribing to the thread (only way I know how ;-)

TheMentat,

Should I be glad I am not alone ??

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87 coupe: Same issue. Valves were adj'd noticed the tapping more than the rest drivers side exhaust bank, checked for clearance and just a slight improvement. I think it may be a harmonic and there's nothing really out of whack. Just a normal tap amplified. However, someone lately may have changed my pipe tobacco. :p

If you know your valves are adjusted properly, or close enough (not too tight), the I'd say you must be starved for things to worry about. Lots to choose from, and this probably is way down on my list. Drive the car. If you were to get somebody else's GF pregnant, then the valve ticking problem would probably not weigh so heavily.

I had the same problem earlier this year on 88 3.2 Carrera SE.
After the car was serviced and the oil changed I noticed the same thing - started to tap once the engine warmed up. It was fine before the service (they adjusted the valves during the service).

I took it back to the shop and they checked the valves and said they were OK - so I started looking into the oil.

A month later I took it back and the owner said he would do it himself.
Next day noise was gone - it was a valve needing adjustment.

I would advice you to take it back to the shop and get them to re-check their work.

Good luck