Strange engine noise?

**nuk1ear** · 13-02-2010, 06:11 PM

Hey all, when the car is idling i can hear (what sounds to me) like mabe tappet noise or something. It sounds like a chok chok chok sorta sound, i dunno how to explain it. Im thinking tappet noise, idler pulley (cause its pretty rusted from sitting around for so long) or at worst spun bearing (hope not). It goes away when the car is revved above idle.

Help is much appreciated. Thanks

**nuk1ear** · 13-02-2010, 06:22 PM

ok just used a screw drive as a stethoscope and no strage sounds from the valve cover or sump. So idler pulley most likely i guess (its rusty). But what about the flywheel, its kinda rusty, can that mean maybe the thrust bearing or something might be making the noise (guess i could tell if i push in the clutch and it would stop, so cant be that)?

**pandaah** · 13-02-2010, 06:36 PM

need more of a description man... stupid question but have you checked your oil level?..

also listing what motor you are having trouble with will heap the people with the same engine help you out

**o_man_ra23** · 13-02-2010, 06:38 PM

Have a look around your exhaust manifold for black stains. The symptoms line up with that of a minor exhaust manifold leak. They often sound like a noisy tappet.

Also it would help if you said what engine and in what car, as there may be common issues associated with a particular engine that people might know about (ie, if it were an 18R I would say timing chain is the first port of call)

**nuk1ear** · 13-02-2010, 08:16 PM

ah sorry, its a 3sgte in an sw20 mr2. Oil level is fine, coolant too. I have a slight oil leak on the oil return from the turbo which i plan to fix soon too. the idler pulley looks a bit rusted, as far as the exhaust manifold is concerened whats the best way to check for a leak there? Just try and tighten all the bolts/nuts?

**allencr** · 13-02-2010, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by nuk1ear

...the exhaust manifold ... whats the best way to check for a leak there? Just try and tighten all the bolts/nuts?

Listen & look, and restricting the exhaust will enhance it.
"Just try and tighten" if you feel that you are prepared for breaking any or all of them.
Good luck.

**nuk1ear** · 13-02-2010, 11:11 PM

lol thats nice of you

**o_man_ra23** · 15-02-2010, 08:35 AM

Actually he is trying to do you a favour. Tightening studs won't help you if you have a compromised gasket, it will just make the problem worse. Being a turbo car, the ticking noise, if associated with an exhaust leak, is indicative of a leak between the head and turbo.

As mentioned before, the best way to check for a leak is to open your eyes and LOOK for BLACK STAIN coming out of one of the joins. Might be best to invest in a good torch for that one. Also a piece of hose (fuel hose works for me, don't try with used stuff though) will work better as a stethescope than a screwdriver for anything not internal. Run one around the joins in the exhaust manifold.