Ticking noise solved

[Pomorza]

Hello all

So about a month ago I bought my first Z, a 1976 280z. The thing is nearly restored, though poorly but is in really great shape for its age. From the day I bought the car I've had a problem with a intermittent ticking noise when the car had warmed up. My first thought was...ok cool valves need adjustment that's all and set them to the proper specs. Long and behold the ticking noise didn't go away :mad:. So I began to search up and down on the car desperate to solve my problem

In the process I found that my tank was cracked. (great). Took the dam thing off and sent it away to get it fixed by a company here in Tucson. While the car was sitting idle I though..hell might as well take a look at the car maybe I'll find the problem. About ten minutes into the "searching" I grab one of the manifold bolts and find that I can turn it with my hand ( shouldn't be able to do that). So I go around and begin to check all the bolts. Come to find that nearly all of them are not tightened at all.

So pulled out the trusty Craftsman torque wrench and torqued them all down to specs and called it a day. Tank came back the next day so I replaced it. Started the car and took it on a nice long trip around town. Long and behold the ticking noise is nowhere to be found. I've come to the conclusion that my problem all stemmed from the multiple loose manifold bolts.

Hope this helps anyone struggling with the same problem

Jan

[sblake01]

I'm glad you solved it. The way you described the ticking in the other thread just didn't lead me to think it was an exhaust leak which is a different sound than an injector tick. But one of the guys, I think IdahoKidd, might have mentioned to check for an exhaust leak.

Edited September 19, 2009 by sblake01

[Pomorza]

Well come to find the sound is still there but is only about 1/2 as loud. I'm pretty positive its the injectors now as the sound happens in tune with the vibration of the fuel rail. That is, when the fuel rail "ticks" the noise occurs.

Thanks guys for all the help

Jan

[FastWoman]

Some engines' valves don't tick, but those are the hydraulic ones. If your engine is clean and your valves properly adjusted, you're probably going to get a faint ticking noise from underneath the valve cover. It's not a bad thing.