Noticeable tick in engine.

[aj1997]

Hi, I have a 1997 Honda Civic LX and have started to hear a tick/tap when the engine is running. Its there when she idles and it gets faster when i rev it. I hear it when it's in park also. It's not loud but loud enough that i can hear it when i am sitting in the driver's seat with windows rolled up and doors closed. It does this when cold and warm. I have done some researching and have came across many reasons for the tapping. I just changed the oil and the mechanic said the engine sounded good. I will investigate those reason i have found from the research i have done which include piston slapping, valve noises and some other things i can't remember but I wanted to see what the people in the forum have to say.

It sounds like this is where its coming from the most.

 

[Jose1027]

Have you ever done a valve adjustment?

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[young_]

Have you ever done a valve adjustment?

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This. It's not hard if you have a socket/ wrench set, and some feeler gauges. But a mechanic I know says it's always better loose than tight. (referring to the valves lol)


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[Hondakid1]

Have you ever done a valve adjustment?

^ This, and also try doing an entire tune-up; wires, plugs, and rotor.
I also had a warped head, and its since been machined and rebuilt.
No more awful sounding tick, but Honda's always have a tick, they're known for it.

 

[aj1997]

Thanks for the replies.

Have you ever done a valve adjustment?

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No, i just bought it with 160k. Mi. I would love to do it myself but i'm new to anything thats under the hood.

This. It's not hard if you have a socket/ wrench set, and some feeler gauges. But a mechanic I know says it's always better loose than tight. (referring to the valves lol)




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Lol, I'm the diy type of guy, I'm thinking about investing in a torque wrench. I'll figure out what feelet gauges are.

^ This, and also try doing an entire tune-up; wires, plugs, and rotor.
I also had a warped head, and its since been machined and rebuilt.
No more awful sounding tick, but Honda's always have a tick, they're known for it.

I have also heard that They're known for it but is it healthy? I'd rather solve the issue before it gets worse but if i do the rebuild and/or valveadjustent and i still hear that tick afterwards i would say it's a waste of money. I wouldn't say the sound is awful, but it's there. I have also noticed that it comes and goes, as in i hear it some days and the other day i don't, cold or warm...
I'm assuming you got that fixed because it was really noticeable....?

Wires and rotor will be next, oh and fuel filter but thats another issue which i have yet to investigate.

I have done motor oil, oil filter, transmission oil, plugs. It was an expensive basic tune up since it cost me more than 100 dollars because i drained the motor oil and found out that the oil filter was stuck in there to which i poked a hole into, so i payed a shop to tow it to their location and remove it there, they used a couple different tools on it but it came off. An expensive lesson that was..

 

[TokyoSkies]

I have also heard that They're known for it but is it healthy? I'd rather solve the issue before it gets worse but if i do the rebuild and/or valveadjustent and i still hear that tick afterwards i would say it's a waste of money. I wouldn't say the sound is awful, but it's there. I have also noticed that it comes and goes, as in i hear it some days and the other day i don't, cold or warm...
I'm assuming you got that fixed because it was really noticeable....?

Hondas are well known for their noisy valve tick. It's just the way the valves are. At 160k miles, I highly doubt a valve adjustment has ever been done. I would highly recommend it. As stated before, it's easy if you have the tools.

I have done motor oil, oil filter, transmission oil, plugs. It was an expensive basic tune up since it cost me more than 100 dollars because i drained the motor oil and found out that the oil filter was stuck in there to which i poked a hole into, so i payed a shop to tow it to their location and remove it there, they used a couple different tools on it but it came off. An expensive lesson that was..

Experience is the best way of learning! Now you know, and you'll have a heads up in the future if such a situation arises. I've learned plenty of times the hard way.
Definitely change out your wires, run a fuel injector cleaner, too. I'd say seafoam the car, too. This is subjective, though. Some people like it, some hate it. I personally swear by the stuff.

 

[HeX]

Definitely change out your wires, run a fuel injector cleaner, too. I'd say seafoam the car, too. This is subjective, though. Some people like it, some hate it. I personally swear by the stuff.

Instead of SeaFoam, I strongly suggest you save your money for a full fuel system cleaning at a shop. Instead of a pour-in additive, they pump a highly concentrated fuel cleaner thru the fuel rail thereby cleaning the entire system. Thats far more effective than any fuel additive. The job shouldnt cost more than $150-$200 depending on your region, but your car should run much better and quieter. Its a great investment. Years ago I did this on my '95 Acura Legend coupe. It was so quiet afterwards you couldnt tell it was on! I also did it on my '89 CRX Si with 200k+ miles on the original engine and it ran like new.

 

[aj1997]

Engine wont start. It cranks but that's it.

Hondas are well known for their noisy valve tick. It's just the way the valves are. At 160k miles, I highly doubt a valve adjustment has ever been done. I would highly recommend it. As stated before, it's easy if you have the tools.



Experience is the best way of learning! Now you know, and you'll have a heads up in the future if such a situation arises. I've learned plenty of times the hard way.
Definitely change out your wires, run a fuel injector cleaner, too. I'd say seafoam the car, too. This is subjective, though. Some people like it, some hate it. I personally swear by the stuff.

After what I did today I wont be doing things myself anymore. I accidentally left a spark plug wire off because i was checking compression and the motor shut off on me. I tried to restart it and i haven't had any luck. It smells like gasoline inside the cylinder so i'm assuming i flooded the engine. It just wont turn over. I checked to see if the timing belt snapped and its not that, the reason i know its not the timing belt is becuase the pistons or valves move inside( i took the oil cover off and peeked in there and stuff moves... it could also be the coil.... even the wires. I appreciate some suggestions with this new problem.

Instead of SeaFoam, I strongly suggest you save your money for a full fuel system cleaning at a shop. Instead of a pour-in additive, they pump a highly concentrated fuel cleaner thru the fuel rail thereby cleaning the entire system. Thats far more effective than any fuel additive. The job shouldnt cost more than $150-$200 depending on your region, but your car should run much better and quieter. Its a great investment. Years ago I did this on my '95 Acura Legend coupe. It was so quiet afterwards you couldnt tell it was on! I also did it on my '89 CRX Si with 200k+ miles on the original engine and it ran like new.

I'll take that into consideration. Thanks.

 

[HeX]

Long Overdue Update

Have you ever done a valve adjustment?

This. It's not hard if you have a socket/ wrench set, and some feeler gauges. But a mechanic I know says it's always better loose than tight. (referring to the valves lol)

I finally got around to performing a valve adjustment. I must say it was rather easy, in part because I purchased the valve adjustment tool and feeler gauges. My MPG has gone up roughly 5-6MPG. The tick at the engine has been eliminated.