Hey Guys, I have a 95 Accord DX, I just bought it and there is ticking under load when the car is cold. It does seem to get a little better as it warms up but it's still there. I adjusted the valves today, my third time doing a valve job. Many valves were a tiny bit loose but I noticed nothing that seemed way out of whack. I adjusted all back to spec, but the ticking sound remains, seems unchanged...

Any ideas?

 

You could try posting a video. It should actually get worse when the engine warms up as the clearances get smaller. It could be pinging instead.

 

I would try to do a video, but it's difficult since I can't hear it at idle too much, the sound is only really noticeable when accelerating and other sounds drown it out on film.

If I rev the car when not in gear, the ticking noise is greatly reduced and almost not there. But if I put it in gear and put some pressure on the engine/drivetrain, it starts clicking fairly loud. Sounds like it is going slower than the rpms, maybe 1/2 or 1/4 the speed.

It definitely gets better after it's up to normal running temp too. I don't think it is ever entirely gone, but it definitely get pretty much un-noticeable.

Does that help?

 

If the valves are spot on it might be a wrist pin issue or an exhaust leak. Wrist pin is highly unlikely but from your description, it doesn't sound like exhaust either. That said, I'd put my money on either an exhaust leak or something in the top end...maybe a valve seat or spring is moving around a bit?

 

in for answer