Sometimes when I start the car I get a ticking noise that is quite disturbing. It will tick when I accelerate. But sometimes when I start the car it sounds perfecly normal. The oil is fine in my car (it does leak but I make sure it stays full.) Any other possibilties?

 

you said in ur topic it comes from the exhaust, how do you know this? have you started it and gotten out and listened to where its coming from while its running and making the sound?

 

an exhaust leak where the header meets the head will usually make that sound

 

When is the last time that you adjusted your valves?

If the exhaust is leaking, you can easily test this. Start the car and then have a friend cover the tailpipe with his or her shoe. The leak will quickly become apparent.

 

How much do valve adjustments usually cost?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Almightiness &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How much do valve adjustments usually cost?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm not sure. You just want a $13 valve adjustment tool and need a set of feeler gauges. It takes about 30 minutes to complete. it is difficult to have a shop do this because the car needs to sit until the engine is cold.

Here is a how to link:
http://www.c-speedracing.com/h...t.php

Here is a link for the tool:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ...28013

Which engine do you have?

 

LS motor (stock). And I was also wondering, I had a bad leak out of my oil pump awhile ago and we got that fixed, but now I am still losing a bit of oil on long trips, but I cannot see a leak. Anyone have any guesses?