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Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 5:55 pm
by johnt0709
Anybody help what is the ticking noise likely to be on a 6cylinder - top end - runs great though - tappets? Any soloutions?

Re: Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:07 pm
by sam325is
Injectors.

Re: Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:07 pm
by Eddie25
Definatley most likely to be tappets mate. Even when set correctly they can still sound like a typewriter falling down a flight of stairs.

The 6 cylinder engines can suffer from Injector tick though but I've heard getting them ultra sonically cleaned can improve this.

Re: Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:08 pm
by sam325is
Eddie25 wrote:The 6 cylinder engines can suffer from Injector tick though but I've heard getting them ultra sonically cleaned can improve this.
Correct!

Re: Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:24 pm
by johnt0709
Anyway to tell if it is rappers or injectors?

Re: Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:30 pm
by sihooker
I've heard that a ticking noise on M20's can also be due to a leaking exhaust manifold...

Re: Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:44 pm
by allstar_07
johnt0709 wrote:Anyway to tell if it is rappers or injectors?
I've read the test to do is hold the engine at 4k rpm and turn the ignition off. if the noise stops straight away rather then dying down with the revs it's the injectors. This is because they stop as soon as the elec supply is cut off.

Hope that helps.

Re: Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:10 pm
by johnt0709
Allstar thanks I'll give that a go - makes sense

Re: Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 11:07 pm
by allstar_07
How do you fix a noisey rocker then Will?

I adjusted my tappets but that didn't seem to make much difference - well at idle it does but the engine still makes a loud noise when revved. I'm assuming it's the injectors but I haven't done the check above yet.

Re: Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:27 am
by johnt0709
Technical comment here - It is def ticking and not a knocking - nothing sinister will try at the weekend the 4000rpm/ignition off test and update.

Re: Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:40 am
by ChemicalAl
If its the injectors what are the options (other than ultrasonic cleaning)?

Re: Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 1:41 pm
by SteSE
fit new ones

Re: Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 2:25 pm
by ChemicalAl
Thought so - how much for the parts and approx cost of labour?

Re: Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 3:13 pm
by bilun777
If it's just ticking at idle and drives O.K. drive and enjoy. Simplez :D

Re: Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 3:23 pm
by SteSE
Not sure how much new ones cost, the ticking is good - at least you know there working plus i thought the machine gun noise is a characteristic of the m20??

:shoot1:

Have i been mis-sold...

Re: Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:05 pm
by GT-UK
i got a really sweet chromie last week, loads of dealer history,macahnincally spot on
i actually know know after years of owning e30s what the m20 engine is meant to sound like,
a silky smooth almost silent engine with a low gurgle from the tail pipe,
rather than a skeleton having a w**K in a biscuit tin

Re: Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 1:18 am
by poolnoodle
sihooker wrote:I've heard that a ticking noise on M20's can also be due to a leaking exhaust manifold...
+1
I have this issue after eliminating tappets and injectors. Simple fix but arse of a job. Hence not done

Re: Whats the ticking noise from engine

Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 10:38 am
by johnt0709
GT-UK wrote:i got a really sweet chromie last week, loads of dealer history,macahnincally spot on
i actually know know after years of owning e30s what the m20 engine is meant to sound like,
a silky smooth almost silent engine with a low gurgle from the tail pipe,
rather than a skeleton having a w**K in a biscuit tin
You see this is what im looking for - is this achievable? Or not worth the effort?