Drove the car yesterday, it was fine. Drove it today there a loud ticking/tapping noise (not the ticking noise everyone gets at idle).

The ticking/tapping noise only happens when gas is applied and when there is load. But when gas is applied and it's cruising at a constant speed it goes away. The noise is synchronized with accleration, as i accelerate faster the ticking/tapping noise is also faster. IT is LOUD, with the windows down i can hear it over my CT mufflers, and when the windows are up, the sound goes through the firewall.

When checking under my hood, the sound just seems to be comming from everywhere, but mostly upper rear on the egine.

Any thoughts? I searched and found common suggestions: engine mount, idler pulley, valve clearance,...

 

First guess would be pre-ignition? Could be as bad as a piston or crank bearing. Might also be an exhaust leak? Best to have the dealer (or mech.) check it out.

 

change your oil, maybe the last oil change was a fluke and not enough oil was put in. check your exhaust smoke color.

 

Can i ask why an exhuast leak would make a clicking/tapping noise? It may be that becuase i sometimes scrap my headers, and that might of created a leak somewhere.

 

You can hear the valve slap through the leak.

 

Could it be that damn vacuum valve opening and closing? It is near the firewall in the top middle of the engine. Mine does that a lot .. very rapidly .. sounds like a pinging spark plug wire .. and increases in frequency as the engine revs.

Mine has started doing that again now that the temps have dropped.

 

Took it in this morning, tech guy was revving the engine and said it sounded like an exhaust leak. The problem is that i have OBX headers installed about 5 months ago. Hope they'll do it and won't void warrenty for it.

IF there is a leak, it's fixable by replacing the gasket? So if Acura doesn't do it, i can take it out and have it done...? How much do you think labor is gonna run?

 

i think it might be the headers. I have obx and also getting similar noise at around 2k rpm.

 

32vv1ll, the noise around 2k rpm is the resonance sound. I think everyone with OBX headers will have it.

Got my car back from dealer, told me that there is either a leak in the gaskets or that my headers is cracked. They couldn't tell because it was the rear piece.

Theorectially, if they were cracked somewhere, could it be repaired, like re-welded or something, or would i need to get new ones?

 

it is not the resonance sound, its a loud metal clicking noise. its very annoying, my dealer told me they will not fix it under warranty because its aftermarket parts.

 

Tighten the exhaust manifold bolts... look for a black streak somewhere there... might indicate a leak - no reason for a mechanical ticking - if its the rods/valves etc. it gets real bad real soon... and you'll know! I can look at your car if you want.

 

The exhaust leak is comming from the rear portion of the headers. I tried to see and feel if there is any black sut or any cracks from the top, and did not see or feel anything. I'm assuming it must be the junction of the downpipe..

The dealer told me they tried to tighten the bolts for me but it didn't solve the problem, but i don't know if they even did it or just said they did.

32vv, is it just clicking at 2K, or 2K and above. IF it is 2K and above i think ur in the same boat as i am, exhuast leak somewhere

 

My car has always made JUST enough of a ticking noise for me to ask about it at least thrice since I've owned the car. It's just a little too loud for what I expect from an Acura, but every time I'm told it's normal. Other CLSs I've parked next to (running) don't make it as loud as mine, but the car's been perfectly fine so my guess is it's just a normal sound, or if yours is REALLY loud, it probably is the header gasket leaking.

 

tlsfan my car only makes that noise at around 2k when the resonace occur. I think it might be the obx gasket? Ive heard it makes noises..no?