Okay so here is my situation, i was driving then i started to hear a "Tick" or "Tap" sound from engine. Sounded like it was from the #8 cylinder underneath the valve cover. So i took off both valve covers and inspected the valve train, Nothing was loose, bent, or out of the ordinary comparing the #8 cylinder to the others. But i tightened the lash on the valves again just in-case. After all that it still ticks. what could it be? Bad lifter? Maybe wiped cam lobe? Leaky exhaust manifold gasket? Something with ignition? Any advice or opinions appreciated
ticking ?? Often the sound appears to be a "tick" .. it could actually be a small exhaust leak .. I've encountered this and I found my exhaust manifold had a rupture. Just a thought ! Luck with the tick .. Cometized
we had a similar thing, was worst case scenario, piston was cracked. not saying thats what it was but if its still there after you check everything else, consider it a possibility. and it sounded dead like a valve or small exhaust leak.
Could be a torque converter nut backing off and hitting the block plate or as in my case long ago, the inspection cover, hunted that noise for a while.
Put #8 cyl on TDC and see if you can press the rocker arm down by pushing on the pushrod side of it. You can? The lifter has collapsed. If you can't, crank the engine (or start it) and see if both valves move up and down the same amount. If they move equally, your valvetrain is most likely Ok, and the tick is an exhaust leak.
Does it get louder if you rev the engine,like most on here,if it does then either a lifter or a cracked piston skirt.
Sorry bringing this post back up again, just got back from a 50 day trip in the arctic circle. Here are some more symptoms I noticed, it backfires more then usual and the ticking is very loud when I accelerate but when I cruse I almost can't even hear it. I also want to say ticking is getting louder (not driving it too much because I want to figure it out so I don't blow anything up) Haven't been able to look at her too much since I got back, but I'll give it a try today. Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it.