Acceleration noise?

[chinook1352]

So recently my Pathy has been making a ticking noise under moderate to heavy acceleration. If I'm driving normally, it makes no noise, but if I'm climbing a hill, or if I punch it, it makes a ticking noise. Once I floor it for a few seconds, it's like it gets all the ticks out of its system and runs fine again.

I run 87 octane, and thinking of testing a tank of 94 to see if that has anything to do with it? I just replaced the spark plugs and fuel filter a couple months ago, and it had been making the noise before that, but very seldomly. It has slowly gotten worse; it seems I can make it do it at any time now.

It seems to me it might be one of those things that if I ignore it, it could become a big problem. Anyone know what could cause this?

[Pathfound49]

Exhaust manifold gasket leak?

[chinook1352]

Could be an exhaust leak. Sounds more like it's coming from under the hood, but it's tough to tell.

[Pathfound49]

Under hood will be where a manifold(some may call it a header) leak comes from. The sound you described is just like any I've ever heard. Not an easy fix either. Someone here may have done it. I haven't and hopefully never have to.

[chinook1352]

Ok, thank you. I'll have to have it checked out, I definitely don't have the skills for a repair of that sort.

[Buzzman]

I suggest you go with your first instinct, and run a tank or two on high test gas.
If the problem goes away, and then returns on regular gas, it may be your knock sensor going bad.
Just a thought.

[ARKQX33V6]

Sorry Buzzman a manifold gasket leak sounds like a noisy tappet. Running high test will create a carbon build up and more problems. There was a bulletin for this repair check the dealer and see if it will be repaired under warranty. The gasket replacement is a big job for the DIY