Alright guys, I have a JDM H22A, it is all stock except the I/H/E and a good tune. The motor ran great up until now. I changed the oil and the filter, like a normal routine, but I did let it drain a little longer than normal. The maintenance went fine, I filled it up and let it run, checked it and put a little more into it. It started making this ticking sound when drive it around, it starts around 3k and continues. I never heard it from this motor before, and got curious. My first thought was, I will let it run and circulate it back to the top, since it did drain longer than normal. I let it run for a couple minutes, drove it around, and it still ticked, so I parked it back in the garage. Well, I started it a couple days ago, it still ticked, so I got the valves adjusted. It definitely needed the adjustment, they was off. The adjustment helped, but it still ticked. I never did get around to converting it over to the H23 tensioner, so I bought the parts and converted it over. On my glorious journey into the side of the motor, I noticed one of the bolts that bolts into the water pump plate for the auto-tensioner had broken off. This was a problem. But, luckily I had used my head and bought new water pump plate, a balance belt and timing belt, since I would be in that deep in the motor. I got it converted over, putting the belts on was a pain, and I finished up with timing it and putting it back together. Well, I started it up, and it still is ticking later on. I could not tell if it was blowing out smoke due to it being very cold outside lately. But, now I am pretty sure with that bolt breaking off that it might have bent a valve, I'm not positive but it is what it seems like to me. Although, the car is idling fine. I got the compression tester today, and I am going to test it in the morning. I wanted to get this on here before I start ranting off tomorrow. But I will post my reading as soon as I do the test. I hope I can get something figured out on it. Thanks for you guy's help in advance!

 

Well, I did my compression test this morning and was quite surprised by the results of the cylinders. From experience of my own and the experience of several other members on this great forum, I don't see anything to be worried about at all as far as bent valves. Here are the results:

#1 - 200 right past the line
#2 - right before the line for 205
#3 - 200 right past the line
#4 - 200 right past the line

These results seems like great number to me, what do you more experienced guys think?

 

The biggest thing with compression is consistency across the cylinders, and yours looks good. The actual numbers will vary from tester to tester, but those sounds to be in the right range for an H22A as well.

As for your ticking, you may have an LMA going bad. Unfortunately it takes a bit of teardown to access them, but the test itself is pretty simple. If you do decide to rip apart and check them, it might be a decent idea just to grab a set of the new spring style ones, and swap them in, since you have it that far apart anyways.

One other thought, did you change oil type or weight, and what oil are you using?

 

Thanks for replying. The motor previously had 5w30 in it, I changed the oil like normal, but put 10w30 in it with a Bosch filter. I have been reading about the LMAs and I am about to go out there and check on them. This ticking is driving me insane.

 

Do you know what part number to get? I have read on ones that have or require shims and some that do not.

 

I just checked the prices, I found one that is $26.55 a piece for me. They are the newer B16a Spring. The part number is 14820-PCB-305. I would just get the new H22 spring but they require a spacer, and everyone says use dimes. I don't agree with that, and I will just spend the money. I am really hoping this is the problem, I haven't tested them yet.

 

Well, I got into the head just now. As far as I can tell, none of the LMAs are sticking, they are popping right back up. A couple of them have little spring back and a couple of them spring back with a lot of force. I can't say for certain if it is the LMAs or not. I also started the car, pulled the plugs individually, and the tick was consistent. I read on here recently that a guy had a wrist pin out and somehow removing a plug identified it. No freak case here though) While I had it started me and my Dad checked around the motor with a screwdriver trying to stethoscope it out, it got stronger around the thermostat and solenoid area. Little update: now it is ticking at idle and there is also light grey/white smoke protruding from the exhaust. Thanks if anyone can help.

 

though good motors, bearings can go out especially if its over rev'd all the time. I would check oil pressure, better yet install a permanent oil pressure gauge in the car. 65-80psi above 3000 rpm is good. if thats ok, compression is good and the parts in the head are in good order, good to go. some ticking is normal from the valve train and injectors.