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ticking/snapping sound


PineClone

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Spring means its time to take my datsun out from winter storage, and i'm remembering an issue from the Fall that i never was able to resolve.

 

There is a ticking/snapping sound coming from the engine compartment. We can't pinpoint the location. It is not an exhaust leak, but it does resemble that sound. The best way i can describe it is that it is a sharp snap, like an electrical wire arcing, and the frequency increases and decreases with the RPMs. It used to be intermittent and would only show up on hot days. Now it is pretty frequent.

 

Another clue...when the engine is hot, if i shut down the engine when it is making the ticking sound, and then start it up again a few minutes later, it will sometimes go "cough-cough-sputter-sputter" [rev it up and...] "POP...tick-tick-tick-tick..." The POP is not a backfire.

 

My guess is a sticky lifter.  Though i don't really even know how to address such a thing.

 

And finally on the sticky lifter thought, i did add some magical marvel mystery wonder oil to the fuel last summer, and did so regularly. This seemed to address the issue for a short time, but then the ticking returned. May just be a coincidence.

 

Appreciate your thoughts.

 

Thanks.

-Scott

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If louder under load it's an exhaust leak.

 

Check valve lash.

 

Hearing an electrical spark over a running engine is ... unlikely. If there was a spark jumping somewhere the engine would run rough, and that wasn't mentioned.

 

Check the valve lash.

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Most likely not.....BUT, I had a warm air diverter in the exhuast manifold go bad n it made all sorts of odd noises.

Not an exhuast leak. The spring loaded flap under spring pressure. If the spring breaks or other such nonsense the flap makes a lot of noise.

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Spark plug wire was my first thought while reading your post, as the motor moves during acceleration and load the spark plug wires tend to also move if not properly secured, the pitch of the spark sound will vary with the distance between the compromised wire and nearest ground.

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