Azxster

Do B16A2 usually sound like this?

I just redid a valve adjustment...

When idling, there is a slight tick, which I assume is normal since I read that Honda motors, especially B16s likes to tick, the joy of owning a Honda. Anyways as the revs are past 1500, you can hear a really fast tick / static like noise. It is more noticeable in the cabin because the engine noise usually overpowers the mystery noise. When I drive on rough roads, it is less noticeable but on a smooth, well paved freeway, it is noticeable.

As the revs increase, the noise gets faster. I do not know how to describe the noise. It sounds like a tick, hiss, and/or static and is coming near the cluster area. Could it be injector noise, loose valves, something else? The noise happens at idle but not too noticeable until revs > 1500.

Danronian

Sounds like it's an exhaust leak since they are one of the loudest of the tick noises a motor can make.

Though you might have the clearances a little too tight on the valve adjustment, and that would make a tick too.

Azxster

Does the B16A2 (2000) downpipe fit on a 96 Civic EX? If I recall correctly, the size is different but how does an exhaust leak make a ticking/hissing/static like noise? What is the best way to check if its an exhaust leak?

stock_honda_coupe

Has to do with pulses of exhaust from the pistons, If you have a small leak it will tick/hiss.

Danronian

Look for little black spots around where the exhaust pipes come together.

Azxster

So I dropped my car off at my mechanic's shop for the day. He said the noise is not noticeable and not to worry about it. He said it could have been over revved with bent valves. I know the compression was low on #1 but the motor was sitting for a while... didnt do a test after the swap and I'm scared to find the results.

Car starts fine...
Doesnt seem to blow blue/black smoke...
Idles pretty smoothly...
Mileage seems fine...
Power seems okay but I'm still on SOHC VTEC ECU. I did a 3rd gear run against my friend's RSX-S on the highway and I kept up fairly well, definitely better than my D16Y8.

He did a valve adjusment and swapped injectors with my old one.

I am just annoyed that I hear the "ticking". I want to do a compression test soon. What do you guys think? If I get an exhaust, I'd probably not notice it. Maybe I am not use to the noisy B16A2?

Azxster

Anyone have any ideas? Mechanic said clearance is fine and is probably a bent valve.