The classic ticking Topic is solved

jsrnsis · Post by **jsrnsis** » 19 Oct 2021, 06:17

I know this topic comes up many times from my searches over the past month, but I still can't wrap my head around the problem. I have a 1994 NA 850 with 110k miles, and since I got it a year ago it's always had a ticking on startup. I noticed how clicky it was compared to my 97 850 GLT (230k), but shortly after turning the car on, the ticking went away. Recently, it's gotten worse, lasting even after the car is warmed up, no longer going away after giving it some revs, and louder. I wanted to believe it might just be the injectors, so I replaced those with refurbs, but ticking remains. The noise did seem to be coming from the fuel rail when I held a pipe up to my ear and places it on different parts of the engine, but I might have been thrown off by the thumping of the injectors pulsing. I can't hear any ticking through my pipe when I hold it up to the cam cover.

The ticking is cyclic once the car has warmed up, lasting 5-10 seconds before stopping for a couple seconds and beginning again. When the car is idle, it ticks at half the crank rpm, and increases when I accelerate. Once I hit around 2500 rpm (tachometer is broken), the ticking stops until I let off the gas. For the first couple seconds after turning the car on, it used to not tick, sometimes wouldn't even start ticking for minutes. Since I've gotten the car I've used Mobil-1 high mileage and filters with anti-drainback valves.

I've been driving the car to work even though the sound has gotten worse. I have no idea if the problem is the oil pickup o-rings, a bad lifter or two, or something worse. Any input would be appreciated.

shegarty · Post by **shegarty** » 19 Oct 2021, 07:47

Is it possible that you have a small exhaust leak? This can sometimes behave like you are describing where it is not noticeable at higher revs but comes back on deceleration. Check around the manifold for black soot stains, use a mirror to look at the bottom side from the top of the engine. The injectors will always be a bit noisy but they should sound more like a ticking than a clicking sound

Post by **scot850** » 19 Oct 2021, 10:09

What oil do you use on the car? Do you use a filter with a non-return valve like the OE Volvo or Mann?

Have the oil pan 'o' rings ever been done?

Neil.

jsrnsis · Post by **jsrnsis** » 19 Oct 2021, 11:41

scot850 wrote: ↑19 Oct 2021, 10:09 What oil do you use on the car? Do you use a filter with a non-return valve like the OE Volvo or Mann?

Have the oil pan 'o' rings ever been done?

Neil.

I have only used Mobil-1 high mileage since I've gotten it, when I changed the oil right after I got it, it was using conventional oil, but I have no idea about weight or viscosity. It did still have a slight tick even then. I've also only ever used filters with drainback valves, usually a mobil-1, K&N, or Mann. I think when I got it, it had a Volvo filter but that was over a year ago.

jsrnsis · Post by **jsrnsis** » 19 Oct 2021, 11:44

shegarty wrote: ↑19 Oct 2021, 07:47 Is it possible that you have a small exhaust leak? This can sometimes behave like you are describing where it is not noticeable at higher revs but comes back on deceleration. Check around the manifold for black soot stains, use a mirror to look at the bottom side from the top of the engine. The injectors will always be a bit noisy but they should sound more like a ticking than a clicking sound

A month ago I was pretty sure I had an exhaust leak that was coming into the cabin, but the smell went away. I can hear a slight grumble/burble when next to a curb or another car, but the noise sounds very similar to YouTube videos of lifter noise on YouTube, but camera microphones probably aren't the best at picking up distinct engines sounds.

Post by **hausmeister** » 19 Oct 2021, 15:30

The few 850ies I heard with ticking were hydraulic lifters. My 850 also has it, if the engine was sitting long, 1 lifter will stick and tick, but it usually goes away once it warms up or has been driven regularly. I would recommend to use engie oil flush before the change and maybe also additional additives. Mine has gotten a lot better with doing this (and also using high quality synthetic oil), so much so that I do not worry about it much any more.
On mine it is just 1 lifter I think, so it sounds a bit slower than the engine... maybe this is similar to your issue.

jsrnsis · Post by **jsrnsis** » 19 Oct 2021, 16:16

hausmeister wrote: ↑19 Oct 2021, 15:30 The few 850ies I heard with ticking were hydraulic lifters. My 850 also has it, if the engine was sitting long, 1 lifter will stick and tick, but it usually goes away once it warms up or has been driven regularly. I would recommend to use engie oil flush before the change and maybe also additional additives. Mine has gotten a lot better with doing this (and also using high quality synthetic oil), so much so that I do not worry about it much any more.
On mine it is just 1 lifter I think, so it sounds a bit slower than the engine... maybe this is similar to your issue.

I used a metronome website on my phone and changed the BPM until it matched the frequency of the ticking, which at idle is ~450 BPM. I drive the car every day, only a short distance, but I sit in the lot and idle as much as I can. I might try so additives, as long as they don't require an oil change, because I just did one. Got any specific ones to recommend?

Post by **hausmeister** » 20 Oct 2021, 03:28

Internet says each valve is actuated once per 2 crank revolutions, so might fit.
Imo just use anything you like, I don't think there is much difference. There are specific hydro-lifter additives, tried one from liquimoly but it did not do much for my car. Think this is the same as oil stabilizer/thickener. In my case I think it needs cleaning as the engine flush has helped. I used flush and MOs2 additive from mannol as it was cheap.

I would switch oil brand and use oem oil filter in the future, might be worth a try.

jsrnsis · Post by **jsrnsis** » 20 Oct 2021, 16:02

hausmeister wrote: ↑20 Oct 2021, 03:28 Internet says each valve is actuated once per 2 crank revolutions, so might fit.
Imo just use anything you like, I don't think there is much difference. There are specific hydro-lifter additives, tried one from liquimoly but it did not do much for my car. Think this is the same as oil stabilizer/thickener. In my case I think it needs cleaning as the engine flush has helped. I used flush and MOs2 additive from mannol as it was cheap.

I would switch oil brand and use oem oil filter in the future, might be worth a try.

It's very consistent with the 400rpm, though it cycles in loudness. What I don't know is how to tell if it's a problem with one that's bad, all just not getting enough oil, or one just not getting enough oil. It's a shame diagnosing it involves a lot of tearing apart of the engine to an extent. It might be safe to drive with, but that clattering just makes me feel bad for driving it.

jsrnsis · Post by **jsrnsis** » 20 Oct 2021, 16:29

shegarty wrote: ↑19 Oct 2021, 07:47 Is it possible that you have a small exhaust leak? This can sometimes behave like you are describing where it is not noticeable at higher revs but comes back on deceleration. Check around the manifold for black soot stains, use a mirror to look at the bottom side from the top of the engine. The injectors will always be a bit noisy but they should sound more like a ticking than a clicking sound

I might be going crazy, but I tried listening under the car and it seems like the sound is louder towards the back of the engine under the car. I put a hose on the cam cover and head, no real sound, yet I put it on the steering pump and can hear that turning

https://youtube.com/shorts/72FYtMc-oXE?feature=share

I don't know how to embed that, sorry