Ticking noise

[deadflo]

Anyone have any ideas why I am hearing a "ticking" noise that appears to be coming from the valve train of my L24? Its not real loud, in fact it seems like i dont hear it at all unless i have been driving the car for awhile...it doesnt seem to be an exhaust leak or anything like that..it seems like a real quiet version of the old lifter noise you'd hear on a v-8. I just noticed it this week. The engine seems to be running fine with plenty of power. I myself have never done a valve adjustement on my cars, leaving that chore for my mechanic on a regular basis. Do you think it could be valve related, or a spring or something? Again its not very audible but it is definitely there...

[AxtellZ]

Sounds like (no pun intended) valve clatter. How long since the valves were adjusted?

[deadflo]

I had the valves adjusted less than 3 thousand miles ago.

By clatter do you mean a valve thats too loose? If so is that a big concern? I know ive never heard this noise (again not real audible) on my l-28 in my ZX.

[AxtellZ]

Generally, yes it's a loose valve; no it's not a big concern, actually pretty normal.

Better too loose than set too tight (some valve slap noise beats a burned valve)

Have you pulled the valve cover just to look, to make sure theres not a cracked cam oil spray bar, or some such?

[deadflo]

That sounds like a good idea,do i have to get a new gasket if I pull the cover, and how mcuh should I retighten the bolts when putting it back on. Also, any idea why I can not hear the ticking when i first run the car as opposed to after it has been driven for a few miles, does that sound like the valve scenario?

[240ZMan]

I think you hear the tapping when warm because as the metals expand with heat, you land up with a greater clearance between the cam and follower. If you're lucky you just need to adjust your valves, preferably hot.

I have a similar issue with my E31 head. In my case no amount of adjusting gets rid of the tap at idle. Near as I can tell I must have a strange wear pattern or something like that on one of my lash pads so I just live with it. It's been like that for about 5k miles now. Of course, you can't hear it at full throttle, so maybe that's the solution? :classic: