Ticking problem

[Misanthrope_angel]

Alright I know you've had this question a lot but here it is again.

This ticking noise was small when I first noticed it, at first I thought a spark plug was missing, so I replaced them, when that didn't work I changed the wires them selves, still no luck. Now it seems to have gotten louder. When I first start my car it will start up, then once it hits idle, it goes away, when I accele it comes back and gets faster as my RPM's go up.

Now I don't know if this relates to my ticking but my car doesn't excel like it used too, now if I push the pedal down 3/4 the way down it will accele slow sometimes and fast the other.

This is a 1996 Firebird

I've read a few suggestions but some of them take a little money that I don't have. so if anyone can give me a more direct answer I would greatly appreciate it. If you need more info. Just ask.

[wrightz28]

Originally Posted by Misanthrope_angel

. If you need more info. Just ask.

Welcome to AF!

Just some small info needed, year of car, motor, fuel system type, anything modified, or replaced befroe the problem started?

[Misanthrope_angel]

1996 Pontiac Firebird, v6 1800 Series II, Fuel injected, Might have changed my coolent maybe a month or two before hand other then that nothing.

And thank you for the welcome.

[wrightz28]

, I think you mean 3800, unless it's a motorcycle

Anyway, that helps, since you said the wires were replaced, it should be safe to assume they can be eliminated. Did the old wires show any signs of burning?

Since there is a power falloff involved, it really makes me want ot think a collapsed lifter of faulty fuel injector(s), can you silate the area of the noise?

eidt - could be a timing chain issue too, how many miles?

[Misanthrope_angel]

Yes I ment 3800, sorry heh, It's really kind of hard to pin point the sound but I think it's under the engine and I know it's on the right side of it.

It has 119 thousand miles

No burn signs on the wires, carbon though, heh

[poormillionaire2]

Could be a lifter or the needle bearing on a rocker going out. My ticking is an exhaust leak, but it doesn't hurt performance or power that is noticable when driving though. Maybe dump in some fuel system cleaner from Autozone in the gas tank.

[wrightz28]

With the amount of miles and if the noise is toward the front, I'm really leaning twoards my last minute thought of the timing chain jumped a tooth or the tensioner is going.

Further confired by the statement it's not fron the top end, nearly elimantes the possiblity of lifters and injectors.

Does however add the prospect of a bearing issue.

Only on one side tho? That would usually say flat out exhaust manifold/header leak, but that shouldn't kill any power off.

[Misanthrope_angel]

hmmm I thought timing for the power loss but not so much the ticking noise. Could it be a combonation of things, I hope not, but it could be. I'm guessing the best thing for me to do is physical check these things one by one or get the money and have a mechcanic look at it.

[wrightz28]

Given the mileage, ticking, and power loss I'm 70% on the timing set is in need of attention. Unfortunately not much way to really check and be fore sure on this application. The shoe seems to fit tho. Definately try and locate the main source area. If it's the front of the motor, that raises the chances.

[Misanthrope_angel]

If I acquire a timing light what would be the best way, or the way period, of how to correct my timing.

[wrightz28]

No no, engine timing, not igntion.

The chain that connects the crank to the cam shaft and keeps everything in harmony.

[Misanthrope_angel]

oohhh, well crap :-p

[Misanthrope_angel]

Well thank you for all your help yu've given me somewere to start, now I just have to get it checked out, heh.

[wrightz28]

No problem, post back any findings as well as check your thread, Friday's are usually pretty slow on the boards, but soembody a little more versed with your particualr model might chime in and either confimr my thought, or know a little something I might have over looked,

[Misanthrope_angel]

Well one of the noises was my Spring loading belt tensor, apparently the people who put it on last, ugh can't remember the name just got off work, a air ratchet I suppose I’ll call it haha and it completely stripped it, but they got the bright idea to use plumbers tape to keep it on, the ticking I think it's the coil but I’m taking it to my friends auto shop class so he can run a diagnostic to pin point it, I’ll tell you once I know for sure. But thank you all again for your help.