poindex30

At the last autocross I went to the inspectors said they could hear my valves ticking slightly. I didn't give it much thought because they said it was no big deal especially after they saw that my oil pressure needle was at 5.

I have an '88 Mazda MX6 and its valves are so loud it sounds like a truck. What should I do about it? I'm a pretty handy do-it-yourselfer and I'm always looking for an excuse to buy more tools.

Thanks,

Mickey

xsboost90

well- my last car sounded like that and it was actually the sound of the injectors ticking. What weight of oil do you use, they are meant for 15w-40, if you are using lighter weight that would do it as well.

poindex30

I use Mobil 1 15w-40 in my 944 and Mobil 1 10w-30 in the Mazda.

Charlotte944

Lifter clatter and injector firing are often confused on these cars.

It has been my experience that lifter clatter is LOUD, metallic, and can usually be isolated to one cylinder. Injector firing is "softer," more like a relay or switch closing.

Use a screwdriver or other suitable tool (mechanic's stethescope) to listen to each injector/cylinder.

I'd wager a 6-pack its injectors.

hacker-pschorr

I'm with Charlotte on that 6-pack.

Unplug one of the injectors and see if the noise goes down a little. If so, there's your noise.

Just don't drive it that way, 3-cyl 944's don't accelerate very well.

poindex30

If it is the injectors should I fix them? If so, how?

By the way, I really wanted to know about the Mazda but since that question would be off topic at Rennlist I tried to mix in a question about my 944 also.

I changed the oil in the Mazda last night and it only had about a quart and a half in the engine. This is the "nanny car" I bought for $850 about 1.5 years and 15k miles ago. I know we've gotten our money's worth out of it but I don't want to have to buy another hoopty if I can avoid it.

Thanks,

Mickey

Riff

Another thing to mention, loud valve ticking could also be a sign of low oil level, at least that is what I find with my previous Audis. The lifters in the car are hydraulic and will click when the level gets too low. Might be the case with your Mazda, though you did not mention if the noise went away after the oil change.

Cheers,

special tool

That is the injectors - they are normal. Leave them alone.
What you should do is ask the "inspectors" (tech??????????) why they don't know what a Bosch injector sounds like. My 3 year old daughter knows that.

Peckster

A quart and a half? When was the last time you checked your oil level?

bpp944

Cliff is right. I installed new injectors in my '85 and they were noticeably louder.

poindex30

I change the oil in that car twice a year and have owned it for 1 and a half years. I will definitely keep up with it from now on. I will also tell our sitter that she has to notify me if any lights come on.

The_Phantom

I rarely drive my 944 in the winter (since it's not good in the snow and I live in Pennsylvania) and usually if I start the 944 after not having run it for a month or so I have a ticking sound. In my car it is the tappets that make the sound and it goes away after driving it for a while or adding motor flush or rislone to the engine and changing the oil.

Swagger93

Try different oil filters, my saab had a nasty clatter at start up until i switched to a different oil filter. mobile one makes a filter with a nice anti-drainback design; a bit pricey but if you only change oil twice a year its no big expense. somtimes the check in your head can be weak and allow for drainback, so a good filter would be key

could be worn lifters too. ive rebuilt some before, its not a huge deal.

hopefully it is injectors though. the injectors are real soft and rhythmic. mmmm.

Campeck

it means your injectors are working!

mike_hammond

poindex your Mazda does it have hydraulic lifters ? if not could just need the gaps adjusting.

Mike