There sounds like there is a ticking noise coming from my engine bay, i never noticed it but my friend said he hears it. I don't know if its always been like that or if its recently started. Now, i have subs, EMS lights, TV, power inverters and such, running off the stock alternator for now, so it could be the alternator ticking because its charging the battery.. i did have the cd player on with no subs but playing for over and hour and a half.

The car hasn't have a tune up in a long time, so i was wondering what it'd sound like if the valves were ticking, would it be distinct and loud, as in i'd know it were the valves and not the alternator? Or could it be something else?

 

Easy. Get your long screwdriver and put the tip on the valve cover (with the car running) and the handle to your ear. Where you hear the noise is the area that it's coming from. 90% says it's the valves and not the alternator.

 

what does it mean if the valves are ticking? Is it something i should get fixed right away? And where are the valves located.. im assuming where the spark plugs are?

 

Well they are under the valve cover (of course), Noisy valves are usually the result of poor maintnence, they just need to be adjusted. Do a search and you can find plenty of help on how to do it.

 

i think i have a help page for that, but i mean where should i put the screwdriver?

 

An Alternator will traditionally howl, growl or whine.
The only thing which MIGHT cause a 'tick' from the Alternator system would be the drive belt.
Some F22b2's had a problem with excessive wear involving cam follower/pivot shaft wear which will cause a louder (more pronounced) tick from the valve cover area (cylinder #2 most times) right near the Alternator.

P

 

its not that loud.. i've never noticed it before and its hard to hear, its not very loud.. thats why im wondering if my valves are just slightly out of alignment or something

 

More than likely. Even when they're adjusted within a cu..t hair's diameter of being perfect, it will sound like whispering under the valve cover. The issue is that because it's a mechanical system (Non-Hydralic) there has to be some space between the components to compensate for heat growth.

P

 

well.. where should i put the screwdriver to listen. and should i still go have them adjusted?

 

Putting a screwdriver to the top of the valve cover MAY confirm a noisy cam follower. You might also use a length of heater hose as a make-shift stethoscope and insert it thru the oil filler port in the valve cover and take a listen.

P

 

if you need to adjust valves, here is a step by step instruction


http://www.ozaccord.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27

 

thanks everyone, i'll have to go take a look.