My wifes car just recently started to make a knocking/ticking sound. the best way to describe it is to say it sounds like a diesel engine.

I had a similar sound on my S2000 and it was the timing chain tensioner (tct) it was a super easy fix.
the thing is my wifes car has a timing belt and not chains. so i dont know if it could be the same thing.

to help narrow down the possibility's i removed the accessory belt, to eliminate the possibilities of it being a compressor or alternator. the only one i didn't remove is the power steering belt.

it still makes the sound.

the other thing is that it goes away after about 3000 rpm. at about 2000 rpm it sounds more like an exhaust rattle or something.

finally i removed the spark plug wires 1 by 1 while the motor was running but the noise persisted.

edit: also on a cold start it is a lot quieter, after about a 2min warm up it gets louder

please if you have any ideas let me know

video of the sound


video of the sound going away with revs and also removal of spark plug wires 1 by 1


chech engine light didnt recently come on it came on a long time ago for a o2 sensor

 

nobody has any ideas on how to narrow it down?

 

How many miles on the engine?
When was the last timing belt(s) change and the last valve adjustment? 94

 

156 is

Idk if that has been done

 

my wife threw out all the papers in the glove box aka all the maintenance receipts. but we bought it from my mom and she swears up and down that she did it at 87k miles. but i dont know when or if ever the valve adjustment has ever been done.

although this does not sound like a bad valve adjustment its much too loud.

 

that does not sound like a valve adjustment issue to me...more like something is hitting the timing cover...maybe pull the timing cover and inspect....maybe the belt is coming apart?

 

Not as loud when engine cold, "also on a cold start it is a lot quieter"
Gets louder as engine warms up, "after about a 2min warm up it gets louder"
Quieter when engine RPM is up, "it goes away after about 3000 rpm"

Maybe it's just me, but that sounds like valves to me and it would definitely be something I would check.

Have you tried to pinpoint the location of the noise with a stethoscope, [or use a long thin screwdriver]? 94

 

its one of 2 broad things,

a falling apart timing belt

or something in your valve trian.

Start easy, remove the t belt cover and do a visual inspection, then move onto the front VC and report back.

any loss of power?Do a compression test as a broken/bent valve will show up there.

 

no loss in power. im going out to use a stethoscope to listen.

 

That was incredibly loud.

 

tell me about it.

so anyways i just came back in from using the stethoscope.

the sound gets louder when i open the little peep hole to the timing cover that lets you look at the cam gears. the only thing is i dont know what it should sound like in there anyways. overall i can hear it pretty well isolated to the timing belt area but it sounds like its resonating through everything because no matter what part of the motor i put it on it sounded the same other than on the timing cover.

i also found that one of the spark plugs was completely loose its the middle one on the front side. i tightened it down but no change in noise or performance.

 

Could a LMA be sticking?

 

Timing belt tensioner(s) maybe or as mentioned timing belt(s).

Pull the covers and have a look. 94

 

whats an LMA?

pulling the timing belt cover off isn't that simple if you pull the cover off you might as well replace the timing belt i mean its not like 2 screws and its off. you need to undo the motor mount remove the splash shields take of the alternator and so-forth

 

Lost Motion Assembly

They are located on the third rocker arm for the intake side. The arm will flop and click if it is sticking.

 

not sure what year it is but here's a recall on some 2003's

Engine: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Campaign Number: 02V226000
Dates Manufactured: 06/2002 to 07/2002
Number of Vehicles Affected: 17,551
Model Years Affected: 2003
Date Owner Notified: 08/2002

Defect Summary: ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BOLT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. EVENTUALLY THE BELT COULD BE DAMAGED AND FAIL.

Consequence Summary: IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Recall Notes: ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

just a though

 

its a 98.

so what all should be replaced with a timing belt change.. im now almost 90 percent sure its her timing belt tensioner because this is what my s2000 sounded like when the timing chain tensioner went bad

 

do the belt, water pump and tensioner all at the same time....if there is an idler pulley check it for play or roughness when you spin it....replace it also if its no good.

 

im confused on why they call 2 things a tensioner. theres this one


this is the part that i believe is causing the noise

and this one

 

the first one is the tensioner........the second one is the tensioner idler pulley.

 

is it safe to get the parts from like napa?

 

Has anyone tried using replacement parts from eBay or napa

 

We use Nappa and Wyatt auto parts all the time, I would not buy auto parts on eBay. 94

 

napa parts are decent.....