Ticking noise coming from head at idle

[Allldi]

Guys, please help me out with this one. I have a ticking noise coming from the rear of my head. It usually occurs at idle. It correlates with engine speed. If I rev it or drive it the noise will get faster with engine speed, but then go away after a few seconds. It will return at low engine speeds and at idle, like when I stop for a light or something. Even when I do hear it at idle, it isn't constant. It will come and go every five or six seconds. I am pretty sure it isn't the chain because it is coming from the rear of the head instead of the center, plus I had that replaced about a year ago. Other than being hard to start sometimes, the motor runs fine and I haven't noticed a loss of power. Should I stop driving it? Is it in anyway possible for a valve to get stuck open and collide with a piston? What do you guys think? Sticking lifter? If not, what else could it be? Sorry, this is so long, but I really need help.

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Ryan
1991 944S2 coupe

[MAS]

I don't know about the S2, but often this sound is only the injectors.

-MAS

[Allldi]

MAS, I know what sound you're talking about. My injectors make the same sound. But this sound sounds different. I guess it could be the injectors because the sound is coming from an area very close to them. Maybe my ears are just playing tricks on me. I doubt it though, because this sounds like a seperate sound. To be honest with you, I can hear it better with the hood closed, I guess because the hood muffles the sound of the injectors enough so that I can only hear this other sound. When I open the hood and put my ear up to the valve cover, all of the sounds kind of blend together and I can't really tell. I guess it's time for a stethoscope.

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Ryan
1991 944S2 coupe

[Bob's944]

you can listen to your engine with a large screwdriver, put the handle against your ear and the blade in the area where you think the sound is, move it around till you find it

[marooned]

My guess is one of two things because I have the same problem. 1) Lifters (most likely cause) or 2) exhaust manifold gasket which will make a ticking sound if leaking.

[Allldi]

Thanks guys. marooned, I was thinking it might be an exhaust leak too. Part of me wants to say that if it was a lifter it would do it at all engine speeds. On the other hand, oil pressure is higher under load so maybe the oil is covering up the sound. If it is a lifter, how much of a risk am I taking by continuing to drive the car?

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Ryan
1991 944S2 coupe

[T86951]

My 951 makes a ticking and it is a little crack in my header on #4 tube. It may be that.

[marooned]

As far as doing damage with lifters that you know need servicing... none.. performance will be hurt marginally but you won't do any damage to the car. timing belt, cam chain tensioner... these are all things that I would worry about more. just fyi I drive an 89 S2 which is soon to be orphaned :/

[Kerry944]

Ok, what the hell! I have the same problem too. One day I went to Six Flags over Georgia (wasn't a lengthy drive, just 1 hour) and on my way home I heard a ticking coming from engine. My dad says its a hydraulic lifter, some say its a injector? What do I do?

(The ticking goes with the engine speed also, more rpm's, more ticking. But it seems to stop beyond 4500 rpms)

Kerry, 1988 944 S

[This message has been edited by Kerry944 (edited 09-05-2001).]

[Allldi]

This noise is definitely elusive. Today, it hardly did it at all, even at idle. I'm going to closely inspect my exhast manifold and listen to my head over the weekend. Maybe I can figure out where the hell it's coming from.

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Ryan
1991 944S2 coupe

[pikey7]

I had the same problem on my old '87 VW Golf.

It just kept on ticking.....

Does your ticking noise vary with the revs??

If so, you've got the same problem I've got right now on my 951.

Take the cam housing off and change the lifters!!!!!!!!!

Mike

[Guitarsmith]

My 1980 924T makes a ticking noise, a single tick, just off idle---I always wondered what it was.
Since the 925T has injectors on one side, and exhaust on the other, this may help---the sound definitely comes from the injector side.

[Sergio]

I was listening to a knock that seemed to be coming from the front, maybe under the cam belt cover, it would come and go, come and go, and for about 3 seconds I swear I heard some clanging sounds... wtf?

[Bob's944]

Sergio... when was yer wasterpump done last??

[mlue]

Timing belt retention / replacement and or warped timing belt cover.

Mark
'86 944NA