Tick of death, exhaust leak, or is something rubbing?

[lofapoo]

'90 SOHC KA in an autotragic S13 coupe w/ approx. 135k mi

I bought the car at approximately 125k and recieved no word of any timing chain service done.

As the car accelerates there is a ticking noise. Just goes tick-tick-tick-tick and gets a little louder as I go up in RPMs. It probably is the timing chain, but I don't want it to be, so I figure there's a possibility of an exhaust leak or a belt could be rubbing on something.

Can anyone tell me what the tick of death sounds like, or hopefully reassure me that I'm not going to have to sell it due to lack of funding for a chain? TIA

[absolute]

well in my experiences i have never had a car tick because of the exhaust. It could be the bearings, or something like that but thats still stuff you'll have to fix and its not a minor problem. would you really have to sell it if it were the timing chain? it might cost a pretty penny but that much? ka's run about 3-400 bucks, at least where i stay. the only other thing i could think of that might tick or like the steering or somethind having to do with the wheel bearings, but if its an engine tick, you know its an engine tick, sorry.
Modified by absolute at 12:23 AM 12/1/2004

[lofapoo]

I'm in debt, zero moneys.

Even if I got another KA motor to swap in, I have no place nor tools nor experience to swap it in. So yeah basically if my motor is gonna blow I'll probably have to ride her til she dies, or sell her (which is impossible as the registration is in my bank's name for another 2 years or so). I guess if I absolutely had to pay a pretty penny to keep my car going I would but it'd be a fat *****, and considering I only spent two grand on the car in the first place spending a grand to keep it running seems... well, lame. But hey if I'm screwed I'm screwed.

[silencer.1]

If it speeds up/gets louder with an increase in rpm it's probably about ready to throw a rod. I've had it happen before on an engine that had 170k on it. It might just be lifters tapping but generally it's a rod bearing that's gone.

[nissilvat]

if the ticking is increasing with your speed, the cheapest solution would be to add a can of oil conditioner in your oil or change your oil and add the conditioner. thats what happened to my car and the problem was eliminated. so try that 1st

[lofapoo]

http://www.partsamerica.com/Se...tment

Hope the link works, Nissilvat, do you have any recommendations for an oil conditioner? For instance, if you sound like you had the same problem, what did you use? Thanks for the replies.

[nissilvat]

i got it at walmart, they have can sizes for 8 6 0r 4 cyliders, i dont rember whats its called, but its ina metal can. if you go there u will see it. sorry for the lack of info on that.

[nissilvat]

ok i got it, its called "restore" engine treatment, and make sure you get the 4 cylinder can

[lofapoo]

That's good to hear, because Restore 4 cylinder was actually the product I was looking at.

Thanks for the info dude I'll be sure to buy a can and pray...

[RMiller]

Exhaust leak sound will vary based on LOAD.