Tick tick tick tick as I accelerate.. gives one an uneasy feeling

[lofapoo]

As I accelerate in my 240, I hear a rapid ticking depending on my RPMs.

My dad said it sounded like something rubbing, but upon inspecting the belts I found this probably isn't the problem.

I thought it could be a possible exhaust leak, but I have no idea what an exhaust leak sounds like, so it's just rookie thoughts flowing through my mind.

My last thought (actually my first, but it's the one I dislike the most) was the timing chain. I was too young to remember what a dying chain sounded like in a car, and I'm really hoping this isn't the problem with mine.

It's a totally stock '90 XE coupe with an automatic transmission and AIV system + airbox resonator removed. The sound occured before the removal of the AIV system (I removed it maybe half an hour ago :p)

Anyone have any ideas? Being rather clueless and completely relying and loving this car (despite the auto ) I don't want it to die on me. Any input is appreciated, help a brotha out! Thanks in advance.

[URM S14]

well, i am going to go with the timing chain, and most will agree.240sx timing chains are notorious for thier loud chatter. do you hear this at idle?it usually can go a while like that but its not the safest thing. get it done ASAP

[lofapoo]

No noise at idle.

[Dattebayo]

Maybe the exhaust shield(s) are rattling now. One on the header, the other around the catalytic convertor.

Also, the ticking could just be a valve. The most common way to get rid of this kind of ticking is to put in a high grade gas (93).

[lofapoo]

You know when I was cruising at a low space with the window down trying to figure out wtf that sound could be, it almost sounded like it was coming from underneath the car. If this was a heat sheild I'd have to give you a hug or some ish cause I woulda never thought of it :p I'll try to mess around with the sheilds and if that doesn't work I'll go for the gas, thanks.

Hope it helps =\

[yeap]

I dont think its a an exhuast leak. I have had two of those in my 90 xe coupe. Once from the bolts stripping on the manifold and two after putting on coilovers one of the exhuast hangers snaped off the piping. Once that happened your exhuast is really loud and sputters and farts as you get on the gas. Also you could notice a huge drop in power.

[lofapoo]

Sheilds are in-tact and there's 92 in the tank, noise still occurs.

It seems that once the car is warmed up after a view of some cruising RPMs, the noise is heard at lower RPMs. When I first started the car and let it warm up a little, there was no noise, and didn't happen until I hit about 4-5k RPMs. Afterwards I could faintly hear it around 2-3k RPMs.

Bummer.

[Dattebayo]

You have to rip off the exhaust shield to find out. Unfortunately thats the only way to do it. You cant tell because it will only vibrate when you are revving. You could jiggle it around and see if it moves. Thats when you know it's rattling a little.

[lofapoo]

Hmm, I'm starting to think it's not likely that it's a sheild, but I'm running out of ideas so I'll most likely try it. I jiggled the **** around as much as I could and got nearly no flex out of 'em.

[Dattebayo]

Valve tick then.

How long has it been since you checked your valve clearance between the cams and shims?That's probably it then, one of your cams slapping against a shim that is out-of-spec.Not a big deal to do either.

[silvia200zx]

What kind of ticking? Is it louder in low rpms, heavy throttle? Say like 3rd gear at 20mph, and mash the throttle it gets louder. Mine is doing that, thought I might describe it to you, see if it's the same. Try hitting a big puddle and splashing water all over undercarriage the mash petal in low rpm's. Can you really hear it now? What your describing sounds a lot like what mine does. I've had exhaust tested for leaks, not one puff of smoke escapes. I have no heat shields(header) to rattle. Even swapped engine from one car to another, sound followed. I have no idea what to tell you, but if you figure it out, lemme know.

[lofapoo]

I've never removed the valve cover.

Perhaps I should do a little search relating cams and shims?

silvia200 I'll try hitting a puddle and see what happens to the sound. And if I ever get rid of this stinking sound you're the first to know everything that I did :p

[lofapoo]

Upity, still looking for any possible help!

[Dattebayo]

Im directing you to this post because alot of people have been asking about this lately.

I hope yours is not as serious, but read through the whole thing.

click this---> http://www.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=103521

[weird240]

check your lifters

[zer0c123]

Well since we're on the topic of ticking sounds

My 93 HB 5speed makes like a vibrating sound of ticking noise coming the drivers side. I think its coming from somewhere in the steerng wheel area or somewhere inside the insert key ignition switch area. I notice the ticking sound the most on cold starts sometimes and the sound is really noticeable when I accelerate or rev the engine. Eventually it goes away after a little driving, but comes back later, like the next day. No ticking sound during idle though.