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

 

Is it the gasoline your using? I know that lower Octanes making a "popping" noise in the engine...

I don't know - Just a guess.

 

Bad gas....Throw some octane booster in the tank your presently on & only use 91-93 octane in the future.

 

Check your oil ASAP!!!!! If your low on oil to the point that you have a tapping, your gonna blow your motor up if you keep driving...

 

oil!!! i agree

 

wtf? i went to the dealer and they told me it was the fuel injectors.

oil?

 

yea make sure your oil is at the full level.

 

i dont think its the oil and i use shell top of the line gas too and i get the same noise in my car too. What you can try is Get OUTLAW by Penzoil (Dark Blue) its like $5 bottle it worked pretty good in reducing the noise but its still there ever since i bought the car. I am Thinking its the Fuel Injectors too.

 

Sounds like knock?

Bad fuel (ruled out), low oil (ruled out), so yeah, fuel injectors might be dirty and not working properly to deliver the fuel. Get some fuel injector cleaners, or you could just have the entire engine flushed out at the dealership or a shop.

 

Sounds like the engine is knocking indeed.

I've had this due to some dirty fuel that clogged a number of injectors. I had the dealer flush the entire engine for $100.. runs like a purring cat ever since (and there's no way in hell i'll ever put Thrifty fuel in my cars again)

Tracer

 

If thats what it is then its not really a big deal to get it done but i am getting double minded since half of the people say to tighten the bolts

 

Well, there's a lot of factors in an engine that can cause knocking sounds I simply had the dealer look at the car when mine started doing this.. they adviced the flush on what they found.

Tracer

 

Yes, try the flush first, if not, it might be a loose piston arm, had that happen to my friends 98 prelude. Does it sound like a ticking clock, and can you feel it when you place your hand on the top of the engine when in idle?

 

Surprised nobody brought this up but it could be an exhaust leak. That can make a tapping noise under a load. Had it many times when I drove Ford V8's.