exhaust leak ticking?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 335
Likes: 14
From: Fort Wayne Indiana
exhaust leak ticking?
Just getting my car out of storage and back into driving condition. i put a set of longtube headers on over the winter and really looking forward to the performance. I only owned the car for about 3 months before parking it over winter so its like learning a new car all over again, but after driving to work this morning i notice a ticking coming from under the driver side valve cover and almost like its under the floor pan on the drivers side. Its nothing too loud but noticible with the radio volume down. the couple of times i started it over the winter and let it run in my garage i never noticed the ticking. Was this because the car was cold and the ticking comes when it heats up? i've done the ticking search and find several options but one sticks out..possible exhaust leak? i can crawl back under there and tighten up the flange of the long tube but i remember after the install those suckers were tight! is there something else i should be looking for or is this tick something fairly common. I guess i never associated a tick with an exhaust leak..perhaps just a LOUDER car. The car has just over 30k and stock except for long tubs and CAI.
Thanks
Thanks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 335
Likes: 14
From: Fort Wayne Indiana
Yes, if i feather the gas a little bit or while accelerating i can hear the tick speed up.
i will crawl under the car tonight and check the flanges but am not expecting to find anything loose. i will check the plugs again as well. am i correct to assume that if it is an exhaust leak im not doing any major damage to the car until it can be fixed? granted its annoying as hell and will get fixed asap, but i dont want to be afraid of driving the car. i have yet to push the car since the header install as i want to become familiar with it again.
i will crawl under the car tonight and check the flanges but am not expecting to find anything loose. i will check the plugs again as well. am i correct to assume that if it is an exhaust leak im not doing any major damage to the car until it can be fixed? granted its annoying as hell and will get fixed asap, but i dont want to be afraid of driving the car. i have yet to push the car since the header install as i want to become familiar with it again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
Just getting my car out of storage and back into driving condition. i put a set of longtube headers on over the winter and really looking forward to the performance. I only owned the car for about 3 months before parking it over winter so its like learning a new car all over again, but after driving to work this morning i notice a ticking coming from under the driver side valve cover and almost like its under the floor pan on the drivers side. Its nothing too loud but noticible with the radio volume down. the couple of times i started it over the winter and let it run in my garage i never noticed the ticking. Was this because the car was cold and the ticking comes when it heats up? i've done the ticking search and find several options but one sticks out..possible exhaust leak? i can crawl back under there and tighten up the flange of the long tube but i remember after the install those suckers were tight! is there something else i should be looking for or is this tick something fairly common. I guess i never associated a tick with an exhaust leak..perhaps just a LOUDER car. The car has just over 30k and stock except for long tubs and CAI.
Thanks
Thanks
With exhaust leak, ticking sound, usually it's worse when cold and then lessons, when warm due expansion of the metal when warm, thusly closing up the hole/gap somewhat. At least that's been my experience.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 335
Likes: 14
From: Fort Wayne Indiana
i wish i had paid more attention in my garage over the last two days but i dont recall the ticking that bad right after start up. im only noticing it more as i drive it. i've already filled it up with 94 octane fuel and topped off the oil so exhaust or possible loose plug would be my next step. i hear and really fear the lifter but with that low of mileage and it not ticking before storage im not too worried about those options. What about an injector? Those could go bad over a winter, any clues to identifying one of those?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
Suggest you check plugs and manifold bolts to make sure they are all tight. Given you just installed headers, I wonder if you don't have a bolt coming loose.
Would check those befor worrying about injector, which I doubt is the problem.
Would check those befor worrying about injector, which I doubt is the problem.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 335
Likes: 14
From: Fort Wayne Indiana
very true, didnt think about a bolt coming loose. ill check the bolts and plugs tonight to see if anything is obvious or came out of torque. at least those options dont include lifting the car again which gets old quick!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 931
Likes: 35
From: Rowlett, Texas
I agree, most probably an exhaust tick.
They indeed usually tick more when cold; and they usually tick louder when you gas it a bit, then they back off a bit when you coast.
To check injector and lifter noise, just go to Autozone and pay less than $10 for a little auto stethescope, and probe for the sounds. It's fun, and a very useful tool to have.
DG
They indeed usually tick more when cold; and they usually tick louder when you gas it a bit, then they back off a bit when you coast.
To check injector and lifter noise, just go to Autozone and pay less than $10 for a little auto stethescope, and probe for the sounds. It's fun, and a very useful tool to have.
DG
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