Engine ticking

[Killswitch057]

last night my engine started making a weird ticking noise. i don't want to say a knock cause im not sure that that is what it is. i first noticed when my car would get over 4k RPM but now i think it is doing it with any acceleration. also i am just barely catching a whiff of gas every once in a while but that could be and probably is totally unrelated. i have an 2002 with a 5mt. any ideas?

[mike-tracy]

When the motor is completely cooled off, check the oil. It's very possible you're low.

[Killswitch057]

that was my first thought too. but i checked and all my fluids are where they should be. its not a really loud clicking. it sounds almost like piston slap when our cars are cold but now its constant

[jey]

If you're smelling gas check your rubber gas lines for any cracks - they do wear out over time.

[Killswitch057]

i've started to think that maybe the bolts on my headers slid down a bit so there is a gap maybe? could that just be making the piston slap a little bit louder so im just thinking its a bigger deal than it is?

[jewbaru]

sweet ride man. wish mine was a 5speed, if you get a chance pull your one your plugs and take a look at them, only takes a few min and it can tell you a lot. see if they're burned etc. also, if only one of them is different then the other 3 then that will narrow a cylinder down pretty quick

keep us posted! my car use to do this before i sent my engine to the shop haha, mine was a blown piston ring

[jewbaru]

Bump..?

[Killswitch057]

thanks man. yeah im almost positive that my exhaust gasket burnt out. i tried to replace my headers but couldnt get the old ones off because a bolt was seized on so i put the old ones back on. then the noise started about a month later and i went back under there and a nut was missing. so im 99% sure thats the cause

[Grafton]

a messed up exhaust gasket in that location will be LOUD and kill your fuel mileage

[Killswitch057]

^^^ sounds about right

[99gtlimited]

I agree, exhaust leak... I've had more than one experience with that exact sound caused by that exact problem, I've had leaks from the ports, and where the header meets the cat section... plus it's most likely one of the cheaper fixes to try out, so you might as well. Good luck.

[Killswitch057]

got my exhaust done and everything is wonderful now :cool: