Last week I noticed a slight ticking sound from my engine during acceleration. It only seems to do it when a load is applied to the engine. Well, after a day of driving it to work and school, the ticking got much worse, and is now much more audible. You can't hear it when idling in park, but as soon as I put it into gear and a load is applied to the engine, you can hear it. It sounds like its coming from the passenger side cylinder bank. I did a compression test today, and all cylinders had about 150 psi. Any ideas on what it could be? I adjusted the valve lash a couple months ago, and I think it may have caused this. I was thinking maybe a collapsed lifter, or pulled stud. It doesnt sound like rod knock, it sounds more like something in the valvetrain.

 

we thought this sounded like valve train also



i would first off check the valve train stuff, check lash, checking for a pulled stud is easy, it would be visable. and hope and pray that it isn't rod knock.

 

Exhaust leak

 

I agree with the previous post, exhaust leak. My car just started making the noise, and I've tracked it back to a header gasket.

 

Well, I know what an exhaust leak sounds like, but I think that this one is definitely engine. I've also heard rod knock before, and it sounds different than this. Its too loud, and sounds like its coming from the engine. While it was running, I put a long screwdriver against the engine, and then put my ear against the screwdriver. It reall sounds as if its coming from the passenger side bank, but not from the exhaust. I just pulled the valve covers, and no studs are pulled, no rockers loose, so I don't think it's a collapsed lifter anymore. Tomorrow I'll put the plugs and wires back on, and run it again and see if I can better hear where it's coming from. I hope for my wallet's sake that it is only an exhaust leak...