berny

Hey guys, i'll try to make this brief.
First, i've recently changed my spark plugs for NGKs and my k&n filter.

the prob is the following: When I start my car and the engines runs, I hear a "tic tic tic tic tic" sound coming from under the hood. This sound goes away when the engine is becomes hot. However, it comes back everytime I'm in drive and I accelerate slightly. "tic tic tic".. I got it checked out very quickly, and the mecanic says it might be the valves that are ticking...?? any comments?

If this is the case and my valves are "ticking", what kind of info should I know about changing/repairing valves. Is it expensive? What kind of work is involved? Can it also be my gaskets?

Secondly, he says it seems as though my exhaust is leaking air. He thinks its the exhaust manifold. I have headers, alpha werks. What kind of work/repait is involved with that?

Thanks for any help.

Lord Helmet

Could be one of 3 things... yes, valves. Bad purge solenoid valve, or possibly a nasty exhaust leak from those headers in your sig. If it goes away after it gets hot, I'm gonna guess it's a minor header exhaust leak that seals up when it gets hot. Maybe you got a crack it them somewhere.

berny

Bad purge solenoid valve? what does that mean?

Yes, on idle when the engine is hot, almost all the sound goes away. But when I drive, it's still there when I accelerate sometimes. It's a really annoying ticking sound.

Also, how much to adjust/change the valves... also, can this be done by a normal mecanic or should I go to the Acura dealer?

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

My $ is on those crap headers. Search on the purge valve. Easy DIY replacement.

Lord Helmet

Here's a quicky on the purge solenoid valve...

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179592

berny

anyone else have any suggestions? I'll get the purge solenoid valve checked out and replaced since its inexpensive.

I don't think headers could cause "ticking" sounds, could they? I mean, my headers probably leak air and I think the "hummmmmm" sound is more like air leaking out... am I wrong?

OrngeAc3.2

you dont have to throw it in his face if you dont think he got the "right" headers....dont think his thread asked if you thought his mods were crap

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

It's common knowledge. I wasn't putting him down. It's fact! Many people have had those & they have cracked & leaked air & made all sorts of noises.
Way to quick to read into things!

SG81

iTrader: (1)

my car ticks like crazy.

i had my valves tuned and it helped quiet it down a bit. i actually think my timing belt is making the noise. i'm going to get it changed and i hope the solves the problem

get a stethascope (sp?) and try to trace the sound

berny

I'm really not willing to spend that much money, but dude, this noise is ANNOYING.

So I called up the dealership. They will charge me $400 to tune the valves, change the timing belt, replace the spark plug seals and tune the idle.

does this seem reasonable?

Also, I'll get them to check the intake manifold, check for any leak of air from the headers and get them to seal it.

Should fix my problem, but I'm looking at at least $500.

But what other problems could cause ticking??? Anyone know? I just want to be able to tell them to check this, and that.... I can rarely bring in my car because of work so when i bring it in, I want it coming out healthy!

SG81

iTrader: (1)

all that for $400? sounds good to me.

Dealerships here charge $700-800 to change the timing belt/water pump alone

berny

Can these jobs be done by normal general mecanics or should I go to the dealership ??

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

They can be, but it depends on how much experience the shop has. Some just are not equipped to work on newer import cars.
If the shop has a PC program called Alldata, that will tell the shop how & what to replace on the car.
However, if your getting all that stuff done by a dealer for $400 that's mega cheap. A valve adjustment is $400-500 alone from a dealer. Timing belt is another $700+

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

Oh wait...edit.....Your in Canada, so I don't know what the dollar conversion is. What's $400 in US money?

gaping46and2

iTrader: (2)

<$400usd

berny

When I said $400, i meant $400 USD... I converted it already. Besides, the exchange rate to CAD is not that much. Right now, $1 USD = $1.16 CAD

Lord Helmet

DO NOT. I repeat... DO NOT change the timing belt without replacing that water pump at the same time. It's a waste of money if you don't.

Also, I told you 3 different things that could cause the ticking. CHECK THEM! All you need to to is search on the purge solenoid. Just find it under the hood and listen to it. Does it tick? If it does replace it. If it doesn't, leave it alone. Do this yourself, don't take it to an mechanic for that.

Next, check those crap headers. Yes, they are crap and I'm sure you are perfectly aware of it. If they are cracked at the flanges near the block, it's gonna make a horrid ticking sound, especially at idle. As it gets hot, the metal expands, and this is what's likely causing it to go away after a while. Run it, stick your head under the hood and start listening carefully to where the sound is coming from. Pretend your an OBGYN Dr. giving your favorite patient an exam. Listen carefully to her breathing. Where's that sound coming from exactly?

Next, the valves... take it to a mechanic now. No offense, but you don't sound very mechanically inclined. I doubt you can determine if it's valves or not. All 3 of these things can sound very similar. Unless it's PROPERLY diagnosed, you won't know. Don't let some asshat mechanic tell you "well, it kinda sounds like valves" DUUHHHH! But unless that's truely determined, then he doesn't have a clue.

Check the other things before you pay for a $400 valve job. Relax, it's not the end of the world.

Lord Helmet

I actually wonder if when the spark plugs were being changed if you leand on the headers something causing them to crack. I've done that job before and if your tall and the car sits low, you gotta lean down there and hold on to something. I can see it happening...

UNCTYPE-S

I have the same ticking as he is talking about. it ticks when it's cold, but when it warms up it goes away. Then, every now and then it will tick when I hit the gas. You can only hear it if your windows are up and radio is down. Oh and I have COMPTECH HEADERS so it's not his "crap headers".

I just deal with it because my car seems to perform great and Im not throwing any codes.

Lord Helmet

I still think it's his headers...

SG81

iTrader: (1)

same here

UNCTYPE-S

I had my comptechs checked twice after installation and the shop said it was fine. They checked and tightened the bolts and everything was fine. I was getting a hissing when they were first put on and I even posted a thread about it. the hissing went away. This ticking has been here for sometime now. Not sure if it was before or after the headers were installed, but I am 99% sure it's not from the headers. It may be the purge solenoid which I heard from the dealer is normal.

Lord Helmet

Not normal... "common" would be a better way to put it. If it ticks loudly, it should be replaced.

UNCTYPE-S

it doesnt tick loudly. Like I said, I can only hear it if my windows are up and my radio is down otherwise I wouldnt even know it was there.

fsttyms1

If you hear it IN the car in those situations id say its most likely the purge solenoid

UNCTYPE-S

I rest my case. That is why I'm not worried about it and havent taken it it.

berny

Where is the purge solenoid? Where is it located? anyone got pics?

Lord Helmet

Seriously, dude. Do some searching. It's all over the 2nd gen forum. You have to help yourself at some point here.

Jstoumba

I Would Put My Money On Needing A Valve Ajustment That Is Supposed To Be Done At 105k But With Your Slight Mods I Would Say Have That Done

AuCLSman

suggest (1) loose spark plug . would cause noise you are experiencing

berny

nope, spark plugs were replaced and the sound was experienced before and after changing the sparks..

berny

Thanks... i've been on this forum a while. I know the drill. The only info I got out of the past threads is that this solenoid purge valve is located on the driver's side, behind the dash near the engine bay.
big woop! I still don't know what to look for because ya, you're right, I'm far from being mechanically inclined.

Lord Helmet

No. The purge solenoid valve is located in the engine bay, in front of the driver, against the firewall. Right here...

berny

awesome dude! its that black box i suppose. I'm at work, but as soon as I get to my car, i'll check and hear if its coming from there. If not, then its most probably my valves ticking or the headers.

thanks for the pic

Lord Helmet

No problem. Just remember to look over those headers real good before jumping ship on the valve job.

berny

I guess if the headers leak air, tightening them and welding any slight crack would do the job?

Lord Helmet

I'm sure. If they are cracked, they will definitely need to be welded up. Check real close around where they bolt to the block (on both sides of the motor), and check all around those flanges. Do it when the motor/pipes are cold so you can hear it clearly. Just listen real close and try to pinpoint it if it's not the solenoid. Good luck.

SG81

iTrader: (1)

i hear mine when the window is down. so i guess that's not the same thing?

Lord Helmet

I would check what I suggested in post #16. I'm sure it's one of those 3 things.

SG81

iTrader: (1)

thanks. i don't think it's my valves ( i had them adjusted), my headers are still stock (so maybe, but doubt it), and i'm going to check the purge solenoid valve when i get to the car