Question about ticking sound, I think I know what it is

[10ga]

I've only had my 1999 Hundy for 2 weeks and started noticing a ticking sound when driving at night. It doesn't do it during the day, just when I drive it at night after it's cooled down. I've not been able to drive it much since I bought it and never noticed it but it's been in the low 50's to upper 40's the past couple nights. Last night we were at some friends and by the time we left it was probably around 50 degrees and I noticed the ticking for the first time. I drove it some today and noticed the ticking was gone, tonight I had to run out to the store and I took the cruiser, same ticking sound. It only has 100,000 miles on it but I'm guessing maybe a small crack in the manifold after doing a search for " ticking" in the 100 series forum. Do you guys think that might be what's causing it? I changed the timing belt and water pump on Friday and thought maybe I did something wrong, hoping that's not the case. It's running good with no other sounds or issues. It's not loud, just light ticking sound and it's coming from the engine bay and changes with the RPM's. Thanks for the help

 

[sean2202]

Sounds like you could be correct. I noticed on mine when the engine warmed up the crack expanded and was less noticeable. Usually changes with rpm. Mine cracked near the front of the manifold.

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

Almost certainly a manifold leak... Try tightening the 14mm mounting bolts...they are very tough to access. Alternatively, you can replace them with Doug Thorley Headers or stock....keep in mind performance is not really affected...it's just a really annoying sound.

 

[10ga]

Got another question about this ticking, from reading other post it seems everyone says the ticking goes away after it warms up. Mine doesn't tick when it's cold, it starts ticking after it's warm. I know this sounds crazy but it seems to be louder in the evening. I drove probably 200 miles today on dirt roads and interstate and didn't really hear it much. I took out this evening and there it is. I drove to a friends house and maybe stayed an hour, got in and it's still ticking. Does anyone have an idea what this might be? I figured if it was the manifold it would be ticking when it's cold and then stop after it warmed up, mine seems to be the opposite of that. Me and a buddy changed the TB and water pump a few weeks ago and I'm wondering if it has something to do with that? I didn't really get to drive it much before we changed the TB because I just got but I don't remember hearing it before. Maybe I need to bite the bullet and take it to the dealer and see what's up.

 

[ScubaJon]

could you be hearing the fuel injectors going off ?

 

[sean2202]

Are your windows up or down when you here it? The reason I ask is I had an exhaust leak that I couldn't here when my windows where up. Sounds like a connection in the exhaust might be loose. There are donut gaskets in between the connections as well. Also check your O 2 sensors for leaks where they connect to the exhaust.

 

[camino70]

I have a ticking of sorts that takes a few minutes of warm up before you can hear it. I believe mine is a lifter on #1. I still need to pull the valve cover and measure the clearance. It doesn't seem to affect power or economy much, so I'm probably just going to leave it till my next tb change in 60k.

 

[creege]

I'd try and at least find the noise before you take it in. you can use the stethoscope method, like a doctor, just place it at various parts of the engine to ID where the sound is coming from. if you don't have one use a solid rod of some sort for the internal noises like for possible valve issues, just hold one end to the block and the other to your ear. or use a piece of PVC pipe or drip line or tubing for the exhaust leak noises.

For what it's worth, I have exhaust leaks on both manifolds towards the front that goes away when it warms up. the manifolds aren't too pricey, but the labor is a lot.

 

[Placemotorsports]

I just had mine welded about 2 months ago for the dreaded tick and now it is slowly coming back. Should have ponied up for the headers then but i learned my lesson now.