Novice 83 3.0 engine owner needs advise:

[dd74]

How can I discern audibly or performance-wise symptoms of the following issues?

A broken or pulled head stud?

An exhaust leak?

Valves that need adjusting?

I ask because my engine developed a slightly loud ticking that I cannot discern as exhaust or valve related. I do know this sound increases on acceleration. As I mentioned in earlier posts, the Bursch has been backfiring, too, so my wonderment is if the backfiring could be an indication of the above or any other problem.

Please advise. I’m on pins and needles, and not at all in a good way. Whatever advise I do plan to take to Dave at TRE in the morning.

Thanks in advance.

[A Quiet Boom]

Backfiring (from the exhaust) and ticking are usually symtoms of an exhaust leak. If the valves were loose it would not cause a backfire.

[Wayne 962]

Search the archives first, there are many, many, many topics on this...

-Wayne

[dd74]

...how 'bout a broken stud? What are those symptoms? From what I know, 3.0s more likely break a stud, not pull them.

Thanks again.

[dd74]

I did a search. And I did find some information. Lots of it, actually. From what I can discern, there are many ideas as to what could be the symptons of "ticking." In fact, I even read valve problems might cause ticking and backfiring. Exhaust leaks might cause ticking and backfiring. Broken head studs could cause ticking and backfiring. Believe me, I do the research before I ask the question. But given the plethora of answers on the board, not to mention occasional deviations from one topic on to something not as much related, in addition to the fact that when "valve," "exhaust," "head stud," etc. is placed in the search field and hundreds of posts are conjured up, it becomes a bit overwhelming to read everything connected by word to an initial inquiry. Because of this, I decided to ask the question I asked. I even looked it up in your book, and plan to do so again in case I missed something. If you have available any links covering this subject, I will definitely read them.

Simple answers are all I want to arm myself with before I present problems to my mechanic.

Thanks.

[Wayne 962]

Broken head studs can easily be seen by removing the valve covers.

Exhaust leaks sound like phat-phat-phat hissing of air when the car is running.

Tight valves can be measured - but you might as well adjust them while you're in there...

-Wayne

[dmj]

I have a similar problem that has been going on for a while. A tapping/knocking sound at idle that goes away when the rpms reach approx. 1500.

I came up with the following possible reasons after some research:

- Low oil preassure
- Rod knock (damaged or loose connecting rod)
- Broken head studs

I haven't had time to investigate further but the oil preassure can be measured and head studs can easily be inspected (according to Wayne). I don't know about the rod knock though.

Regards,
Daniel