CarbonYellowJ's

Hey everybody, I am getting a ticking noise coming from what seems to be the front top of my engine. Its seems to only show up during start-up and in the lower rpm range. It is not completely constant though and I dont notice it in higher rpms. Granted its hard to hear much from the engine over the turbo. What is a good way to check on this? Compression test? Or is this a diagnosis Im missing?
thanks!

jbell

timing chain tensioner.

spitvenom

for sure TCT?

N2oExpresS2k

for sure TCT

geminimech

How sure? I have a similar noise on startup only prior the the motor being at op temp (it sounds like a sticky valve) however it disappears shortly thereafter. Its only heard in the lower revs, when the motor is not warm. I have also been able to hear the tct, right at startup after the motor is already warm and has been sitting off for like say 30 minutes. For a brief second i hear what seems to sound like a card through spokes. THIS by my estimation is the TCT. The other noise, based upon what has been documented, does not seem to correlate with the the TCT. Maybe someone else can chime in, I am just speculating, however the two by my estimation sound totally different. The TCT would be easily distinguishable over valve tap.

Col. Mustard

i have the same sound, a small ticking upon start up and when crusing throught a parking lot at like 10 mph and under when i let off but to me it sounds like it is in the clutch maybe a throw out bearing? maybe i need a valve adjustment? loose valves sounds liekthis ut it is just not consistant. IDK just my .02

jbell

i'd bet the shoes on my feet is the TCT.

mine has been ticking for some time now. i can make it come and go sometimes by f-ing around with the throttle by blipping it.
everything described points toward the tct- from low parking lot speeds, fresh start ups, etc.

the reason its usually so bad on a fresh start is lack of oil, so it slaps around like crazy.

valve tap on a cold start is normal too. my b16 used to sound like diesel when it started, but ran like hell, PERFECTLY.
from what i've heard and experienced, the f20/f22 is the same thing. there's just no oil up top on a cold start, nothing you can do about it.
taps should go away in under a minute or so.

jyeung528

it could be loose valves.

jbell

yeah, it could be, but you post no information to back that up...
it could be a midget tapping out SOS from inside the fender too.

try to post some info to back up you're ideas to help the OP out.

krnmike

he doesn't need info to back that up
the OP already stated that it only does it during start up.
which could be in need of a valve adjustment - the ecu usually learns that, so it may seem like the sound goes away.

as far as TCT, we've had members that had their cars sound like a diesel.

it could either be TCT or a Piston
a TCT will sound alot quicker (uncountable speeds per second)
a piston grind will sound slower.

there's a couple reasons why you won't hear the clicking in high rpms. because the car itself is loud. some might say it's because the chain is already becoming tight from the rotations.