Ticking noise when coasting/accelerating

Hi FAB908,

This sounds like detonation or spark knock. This is unburned fuel that ignites at the wrong time. It is either in the cylinder or in the exhaust when this ignites.

Here is a video of what this sounds like. You need to listen close but you can hear the rattling/clicking noise. If this is what yours sounds like then we need to address the causes of this. I attached a document that addresses the main causes of spark knock.

Also, if you want to confirm this is what it is, you can get a can of octane booster and put about 5 gallons of 92+ octane in your tank then drive the vehicle. If after about 35 miles it is gone, then spark knock is most likely your issue. Keep in mind that if it sounds like this but is not gone after doing this, it still could be spark knock. Basically, that means that you have a more severe case.

https://youtu.be/JA0cH_vRABg

Take a look at the attachment. These are the most common causes and I highlighted the corrections. However, some of these are for carbs and do not apply to your vehicle but they still give you a good idea as to what to look for. Just changing the plugs will most likely not work.

The most common cause are deposits or carbon in the combustion chamber caused by low grade fuel, so using combustion chamber cleaner may help. If not, more aggressive tactics will need to be used and they are outlined in this attachment.

You will not do damage because the manufacturer suggestion is a minimum suggestion. Which means you shouldn’t use a peer grade then that. Plus this not permanent. I just want you to put this in to test it. Once we know it is spark knock you can move forward with trying to correct it.

If you have a quarter now just fill up with 92 now and add that octane booster to a full tank and let’s see what happens. It’s okay if it mixes. We just want a higher quality fuel in there to see if this goes away.

Yes. It will take a little bit of time and we will see if it’s gone.

Okay. I agree. If this were spark knock more than likely it would have changed. In my opinion, that leaves one thing based on what you are describing and that is a valve train issue related to oil pressure like a lash adjuster or lifter. Basically, at higher RPM the lifter just doesn't stay pumped up and it starts clicking. Then when the RPM comes down it is able to pump back up and the noise goes away.

Unfortunately, there is no way to test them in vehicle. Basically, if they are noisy they need to be removed and cleaned or replaced.

Last thing I can suggest is if the noise is loud enough to get on a video, take a recording and post it to the site and I can help identify if this is a lifter/lash adjuster noise.

Here is a video that shows basically how to do it on a similar engine.

As for the gasket, if it is original then yes you want to replace it. It should be a hard rubberized gasket which are reusable but when in doubt I always replace it because they are pretty cheap and not worth risking it.

https://youtu.be/SUo50VKmutc