so last week i pick up a new car, everything seemed fine. today is the first day i decided i wanted to start putting it back to stock (raising it up, swapping exhaust) to get it through my state inspection. i noticed some ticking coming from the engine that i didn't notice the first time i drove it/looked it over. i'm having difficulties distinguishing where it is coming from. it stays about the same pitch but increases in speed as you give it more throttle. the engine itself looks very fresh and appears to have little millage on it but at some point has had a head gasket replaced on it. under the valve cover is extremely clean. it has good compression and the spark plugs seem to be a nice shade of brown and don't have any oil or crud on them so it seems like it is getting a good a/f mix. normally i would assume a engine with a rod knock would have poor compression but the cylinders all read relatively high. any thoughts?

 

if its ticking then it sounds like you need your valves adjusted, but then again i cant hear the tick or i could be wrong, maybe a second opinion can help

 

yeah, i'm leaning more towards the valves. i'm going to get a few more opinions before i go sinnking any money into this car

 

Well Rods make a distinct clunking noise, and valves make a distinct tapping noise. Use a long screwdriver as a tool to listen to the motor. Place the blade against the head at 1,2,3,4 cylinders and put your ear to the handle. You will be able to pin point the cylinder the noise is coming from. (or buy a auto stethascope.... spelling??) Also do the same thing against the block.

Nick