Very Loud Engine Ticking, Video inside

[POS Racing]

I haven't pulled the valve cover yet, never dug into the inside of an engine before. I suppose I'd need to disconnect a few things and get a new gasket if I were to do that?

Gasket wouldn't hurt is pretty easy to pull the valve cover on a Miata.

Here is a how-to (With Pictures!) - http://www.miata.net/garage/valvecover/index.html

From the Archives here is a shot of my the POSII ('92) sans valve cover!



BTW. Good writeup here on how the HLA's work - http://www.miata.net/garage/hla/index.html

[Miatamaniac92]

You can also try this:
http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/aef.aspx



I have a little more faith in Amsoil than in ATF as well. I've used this more than a couple times. You change the oil filter, put this in and high idle for 10-20 minutes, then change oil and filter as normal.
A guy on miataturbo.com sales Amsoil at cost, let me know and I'll get you his username.







I say this, but I truly believe it's a LE gremlin!



Chris

[CosmosMpower]

what weight?

5w30

[CosmosMpower]

The valve cover gasket can be reused if it's not too hardened. If it is then it'll work as long as it isn't cracked, but will leak a bit.

I sent you a PM with some details on checking the lifters to see if one collapsed.

If you can wait until this weekend I can help you with it. Right now I'm a little far away for that.

RJ

Got the PM, if you're free Sat evening or anytime Sunday that would be great just shoot me a PM when you're back in town.

In the meantime I'll probably the Amsoil flush, change the oil and see if that takes care of it. Thanks for all the info guys, I really appreciate it.

[ken o]

What about Seafoam?

[Adam Payrot]

Sounds like rod knock from a spun rod bearing. See my thread on S2ki on why I know what it sounds like

[JuanoTejano]

I can't say whether that sound is lifter tick or worse but I just did the 2twisty flush and it did help my car. I no longer have any tick on cold start up and the engine just seems to run smoother so I would definitely recommend trying it. I didn't use the kerosene and just let the ATF and SAE50 drain for a while, once you have the new good oil and filter in then let it run for about 20 min and the noise should be gone if it is lifter tick, can't hurt to try it.

[driftdevil]

That is a rod knock. If it was lifter tap it would sound like my car.

[tailchaser]

FWIW, it does sound very much like 3/10ths scale of Kags' car... But that sounded about that loud from 100 odd feet behind following him out of MSR... So I'll cast my pre-diagnosis vote in the bottom end camp.

[SirHustlerEsq]

I think its rock knock too. Drain 1qt, then run 1 qt of ATF for a few miles. If it doesn't go away, its safe to say its not in the valve train.

ATF is an incredibly good detergent...its can't be beaten.

[CosmosMpower]

I think its rock knock too. Drain 1qt, then run 1 qt of ATF for a few miles. If it doesn't go away, its safe to say its not in the valve train.

ATF is an incredibly good detergent...its can't be beaten.

I'm not sure I want to drive it anywhere, would idling it for say 20 mins do the trick?

[JuanoTejano]

If your going to idle with 1 quart of ATF for 20 min you may as well do it right and idle for an hour with 3qt ATF and 1 qt 50 SAE it's a pretty easy and useful flush. I am confident that it will let you know whether or not you have a really bad lifter tick or something else because ATF should take care of lifter tick.

[Adam Payrot]

FWIW, if you drain the oil and see this, you know you've spun a rod bearing.

[creek]

Like above, drain the oil and swirl the pan like a gold miner, if you find metal it's the rod bearing. That would be my guess anyway. You can cut the oil filter open and have a look at what it's got in it too. Just cut the crimp around the open end with metal snips.

[Nails]

FWIW, if you drain the oil and see this, you know you've spun a rod bearing.

Looks like the three stages of life:

Embryo, Man, Skull.

[CosmosMpower]

FWIW, if you drain the oil and see this, you know you've spun a rod bearing.

That doesn't look good. I haven't had a chance to do anything with it yet but will probably check it out this weekend.

[Miatamaniac92]

Update?

Chris

[CosmosMpower]

Nothing yet, planning to change the oil tonight and see if I can find some metal flakes (hopefully not). Channelmaniac may also come by and have a listen, he's much more experienced at this kind of thing.

[CosmosMpower]

Well channelmaniac was kind enough and stop by to take a listen. Seems like lifter tick so I'm going to try changing the oil and see if that takes care of it. If not should just be replacing lifters and that's it. Thank goodness it's not a rod bearing. I'll report back.

[channelmaniac]

Sounded just like my Spec when you start it after it sits for a couple of months (or longer!)

The difference is that the lifters in my spec eventually pump up and work.