Hey all, I have a b16a that's making somewhat of a tack/clack noise when running (best way to describe it). I've tried thicker oil to see if it would shut it up (went from 5w30 to 10w40) but it hasn't. It's got about 70k miles on it and I've only floored it a few times, it has crower springs and valves along with S2 stage 2 cams, but I've never taken it past 7k rpm.

It's not THAT loud, but it's pretty noticeable to where I can faintly hear it if I sit in the car with the windows up.

Now I've looked under the hood to try and figure out where it's coming from and it sounds like it's coming from around the circled area in this image (not my car, just a googled image) http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/8...50148large.jpg but I can also hear it if I listen under the car.

I've already tried adjusting my valves to the specs listed on the skunk2 website but the sound is still there.


EDIT: Forgot to add that I've not once let it run low on oil, nor has the oil light ever come on.

 

Did it make that sound right after you upgraded your springs/cams? Or was it quiet for awhile and then got louder as things went along? I have Supertech dual springs in my GSR motor and it makes a ticking kind of sound and has ever since the springs went in. I'm told that dual springs are noiser than stock.

fm

 

Well I bought it like this from a friend, and it was quiet from november of 08 til about june/july of 09 when it started ticking and I haven't driven it since. It's had these upgrades done since before I bought it so I doubt it's them. I'm about to do a compression test, I'm hoping it's not a rod bearing issue .

 

Did the compression test with the car at operating temps

1: 230
2: 220
3: 230
4: 220

 

LMA's.

 

If it is the LMA's, how bad would it be to continue driving the car? Would I damage anything in the head if I don't fix it right away?

 

i wouldn't think so, i know peeps who've driven on noisey lma's for quite a long time. i was going to suggest lma's originally but then you said the noise sounded like it was from below the valve train..

 

Double check for valve taps to be safe. Feeler gauge....

 

My B16A does the same thing. I've been wondering if it's my LMAs for quite some time now. The valves have always been noisy, I've adjusted them twice on the tight side of spec.

 

usally its lmas , best I can describe the sound is you know those ball things at the psycholigist office(cleche I know) the ones where you lift one ball up and it hits 5 more and they tap back and forth , it sounds like one of those only faster and louder , and not all the time it will do it , stop then do it again. Go down a tunnel or bridge and listen , if you dont have a fart can (i have 2 1/2 inch exhaust with OBX twin loop muffler so you should be fine ) than you should be able to hear your LMA's if thats the issue , it will sound very fluttery . I have driven mine like this since february and no issues (knox on wood) I also just ordered my LMA's though I plan on doing them before winter when I tuck the car away I want it to be running AMAZING so that I just cant wait to drive it in spring again.

LMA's over time can pit your cams and cause them to be unusable. I have heared of people going year with noisy LMA's but hey I am just the paranoid type I like the peace of mind knowing they are new. I also heard it can cause Valve float at higher RPM's , I have never redlined my car I usually shift around 8500 RPM if I wanna get it , and havent experienced anything nasty but I also have KMS valvetrain , I still think that the valve float theory is unproven though but I am learning more everyday. Let me know what you find out about your problem.

Edit: also when checking the sound on bridge or tunnel be sure to have it in first or second going real slow so you can listen to your motor not your exhaust.

 

I have a video of the sound in question: http://www.viddler.com/JimChapman/videos/1/

 

Bump, does that sound like LMAs?