Engine tick from under the intake?

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sprocket

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Well now that the D.A. head gasket issue is at least temporarily fixed, it's time to address the engine tick. I would post a video but my camera battery is too low. Maybe tomorrow.

Anyway, it sure doesn't seem to be lifter noise. I tried to isolate the sound with a stethoscope and I hear nothing from under the valve covers but I hear it under the intake. There is one particular spot on one of the cross tubes where the sound is louder. The loudest spot of all that I found was with the stethoscope probe on the linkage for the IMRC on the driver's side.

Is there something going on with one of the butterfly valves? Or is it coming from another source and I'm just hearing it from someplace that is not the actual source?

It's time to pull the intake isn't it?
 
Well, I had the same problem I believe. It's so hard to pinpoint where the sound comes from on these cars. First I thought it was the passenger valve cover, then I changed my mind to the drive side, then I changed my mind again to under the intake, but there is nothing under it, except imrcs, which I find hard to believe would make a ticking noise. Is it a constant tick? Or does it only do it on start up and then go away? I came to the conclusion that is had to be my timing chain tensioners ticking. I even replaced all the passenger side lash adjusters (lifters) and the sound still persisted. Never the less, I didn't get around to fixing it because I sold it (94) and it still ticks till this day. Try putting the stethoscope on the back of both valve covers, then work your way to the middle, and then the front of them. Always try to put it on the front of the timing chain cover where both tensioners would be. Just a few suggestions to try and help pinpoint it. Now, if it were the lifters, I believe they would quiet down with a heavier weight oil. If the car had over heated from the whole head gasket dilemma, that really doesn't help things either.
 
It's a constant tick. I've tried Seafoam and I use 5-30 full synthetic oil.

I'm not sure if I can hear it at highway speed. I'll try opening the window or just listening carefully. I can hear it around town easily. It doesn't go away if I rev the engine....I don't think. I'll double check.

I've listened at the timing chain cover before but I will do it again.
 
I have a 93 that my son drives. It will occasionally ticklike crazy and not go away until you drive it on the highway at 70 for about 5 miles. then its gone for months. It doesn't affect the driveability of the car and it's not worth me putting money into it to find the problem being it fixes itself.
 
Ticking

On 2 of my MK'S I get ticking. I use Sea Foam spray on the AC clutch, and on the Idler wheel. Ticking goes away for awhile. Sometimes it's the simple stuff. :D
 
This is definately internal. I replaced the tensioner, idler pulley, and compressor over the 2.5 years of ownership and 45000 miles my son has logged. It sounds like a lifter. It hasn't acted up in a long time. He has driven it to my new house Christmas and Easter. It's a 370 mile round trip without incident. If he hears it, he just runs it on the Florida Turnpike for an exit and turns around. All fixed. I offered to upgrade him to a BOB 97 but he loves the 93.
 
Markviiiedrea said:
I'm still leaning towards the IMRC's.
Click to expand...

...and you have listened to it as well. You can confirm that it really doesn't sound like it is lifter noise. I've looked at my spare IMRC's and I'm confused as to what could be making the noise.
 
Sure its not the injectors clicking??? normal operation
 
My 93 does it too. Ticks like hell after I start it, but goes away after you drive it a mile or so.
 
Mine has a slight tickin but nothing loud. My 94 had a ticking too at 183K. I think all Marks have a ticking sound but I guess some may be louder than others. I also use Mobil 1 FS High Mileage and a Mobil 1 filter but the ticking, unless it really loud, isn't hurting anything. I think it's in the springs and lifters myself but I only hear it at idle and I hear it better inside the car than I do outside the car.
 
I had a lash adjuster pop off and do the rock tumbler trick on the front cam gear. I'm lucky I caught it before it got jammed up.
 
OK here's the video. I talk too much, I know. I should have just shut up and let you hear the tick instead of giving so much unnecessary info.

engine tick - YouTube

I listened again with a stethoscope. Here is what I found:
The sound is loudest at the front left side of the intake. The stethoscope probe picks the noise up loudest when set against the following points:
1) The front left side of the intake on top
2) On the head, below the inside of the left valve cover at the front.
3) Against the top left side of the timing chain cover
4) On the bolt down area of the front left of the intake

Points 1 and 4 are the loudest. I have my guesses as to what it might be from but I don't want to put ideas in anyone's head so I'll just wait and see what you guys say.
 
I say pull off the Left side valve cover and take a look. Its really not that hard.
 
If you part it out when that engine goes, I'd like the DA 1/4 glasses
 
That's the EXACT sound my 93 makes. Drive it on the highway for a while. It will go away. Ignore it. You have done so much crap to this car already it's about time you drove it somewhere! My 22 yr old Son drives it hard and hasn't killed it. You'll be fine
 
One thing; all my left/right comments were based on being in FRONT of the car, so my terminology might be backwards. If I said the noise was coming from the left side I meant left as I was facing it. So that would be the passenger side.

How about something behind the timing chain cover? A tesioner maybe? I recently changed oil and used full synthetic 5W-30. If anything the sound is louder. It might be the same. Yes, I used an anti-drainback filter.
 
This is my old motor 123k, had I nice tick at idle and 1500 to 3500 rpm I replaced the passenger side lash adj and roller followers and still ticked like hell, my first new motor and my motor that's in the car now ticks, less the 2k on the motor.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wKieb9R2EFM
 
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