Quck senario: After the August track day at VIR I've noticed a ticking sound coming from the engine bay, specifically from the exhaust side of the engine. My fear is that a valve is ticking but it's more audible when the engine is cold but lessens noticably after the engine warms up. During the track event the car ran normally and was not overreved at all. Also, idle seems to be normal. This sound seems to be more than just noisy injectors, but could one be louder than the others?
thanks for the input
J

 

Maybe the injectors?

Mine are rather loud....

 

I thought that too but I'm not sure. I'm generally more paranoid than most about unsual "noises". The car still makes good power though.

 

when was last time you had valve adjustment? and how often you get it done?

 

I thought that too. Last valve adjustment was less than 10,000 miles ago. I usually adjust them every 15,000 and I run the car pretty hard on and off the track. Perhaps a valve adjustment would help. I've never heard a car with bent valves. I assume it's pretty noticeable?

 

i would do a valve adjustment. valves can get tight or very loose and tick very loud. if its to tight you can float a valve.(burn a valve)

 

It sounds like a valve adjustment deal to me too. You said you drive the car pretty hard, and aren't adjustments scheduled for every 15,000 miles? So, 5,000 off, with harddriving..

 

you running the stock exhaust manifold?? Check for small crack(s)....I've seen some make a ticking noise, and when they heat up, the metal expands and they don't leak

 

does your car still tick? I have the same tick when it's cold.

 

You say it happens when cold? Do you have aftermarket pistons? Maybe it's piston slap your hearing. But I agree with these guys especially since you say you track the car and run it hard off the track. I would do the valve adjustments a little sooner. Maybe 10-12k miles.