Tick tick tick

[HijackTheLeft]

I just bought a 1990 240sx over the weekend, and I've noticed a slight ticking sound. It gets louder and faster when I accelerate, and it only starts after I've been a little hard on the car. It's definately not a knocking sound, just a tick. Does anybody know what that might be??

[ArcherV20]

Yeeeep - most likely the Timing chain guides. Looking at a good 5 hours of work ahead of you and getting your hands a little dirty.

But if it's a marble in a rattle can sounding noise that can be heard while your car is even sitting still, then this guide will fix it completely..

zerothread?id=105618

[HijackTheLeft]

not really a marble in a rattle can sound, just a tick that increases in speed and volume with the rpms... even when i'm sitting still.

[ArcherV20]

That's it - in anycase you're going to want to remove these guides for future reference. So try this - if it doesn't work report back and we'll take it from there.

[s13EastTN]

Maybe fuel injectors? Try and see where it is coming from. Its common for injectors to click.

[ricebike]

can be an exhaust leak...@ the manifold-block

get a mech w/ a trained ear to confirm.

[xekushnr]

could also be a frozen rocker arm. check your oil level, add a bit if its a little low. run the engine for a minute or two and then cut it and let it sit for a while. it has happened to my 240 before and once i got back in the car to drive the rocker arm had unseized. good luck.

[benemorius]

There are several things that can cause ticking. It seems like I've become a tick nazi lately so I'm gonna give it a bit of a rest. Just search the forum and you should find plenty of basic info on different ticking noises. I will say that if you could describe it as more of a tap and less of a rattle, and especially if it occurs after it's been driven hard, it could be your valve lifters. (damn I sure say that a lot) Perhaps you are a bit low on oil, or perhaps it is so dirty that it is having a hard time making it up to the head.