I have a loud clicking noise coming from the top of my engine. My dad thinks its one of the valves on top malfunctioning. The video stops in the area right where I hear the noise loudest. I have no mods done. Just a K&N washable air filter in the stock air box. All I really know is this noise was never here up to 6 months ago. I just never thought anything of it. It does not do it all the time though. Or at least that I can hear. At first I thought the fuel injectors, but they are in the left side of the engine and towards the bottom. The noise sounds like its coming from the plastic pieces on top of my engine.

I attached a video of the noise. Any help is appreciated. Thanks



http://youtu.be/XARjPlDZawQ?hd=1


<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XARjPlDZawQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

The Noise is actually a Hollow hounding clicking noise. Kind of like a small solid ball vibrating back and forth between 2 plastic pieces. Its definitely not a metal sound.

 

Your video is private and cannot be viewed.

Is the ticking occurring while the car is running?

 

Can't see video, but is it similar to this?


That's what a ticking SSV sounds like.

 

That's what mine is doing intermittently

 

Here. Try it now

 

Mine is actually much louder than your ticking noise. But the sound is similar. Not exact though. At least not to my ears. What is an SSV? Where is it?

 

Funny thing is though. My car runs so smooth. No signs whatsoever or something wrong. Most of the time I think my car stalled at a light because it is so quiet and does not have a single shake to it. even with the air on. and then after i go over about 60-70MPH on the interstate, the car kicks itself back and forth nonstop, then getting off, at a light, it rumbles so bad it feels like it wants to stall but never does. Then has this nasty grinding metal sound that comes from outside under my car only when its in gear when i get to about 5k RPM's and up. And my power is greatly reduced. When I put marvel mystery oil in my car, it never does it. Same goes with all those complete fuel system cleaners out there. I put 1 bottle in when i fill up. and the problem goes away. Then when its not in there it runs like crap.

My car has 155k miles on it, original engine still. Compression is still perfect according to the dealer. The guy there offered me 20k because he is so wowed at how good my engine still runs.

Ive replaced my fuel pump. That did not solve the problem. I know I need a new clutch, its on its last leg. But that cant severely reduce engine power and make that noise can it?

 

If a guy seriously offered you $20k for your car, TAKE IT. You can buy another 155,000 mile RX-8 for like $6k and pocket the change.

The noise could be a number of different things, including anything that has a pulley that the belts wrap around. Like the alternator, etc... It could be the valving as noted above, and it could even be the apex seals tapping on the housing (which is really not good). In theory, it could also be a fuel injector problem.


When the dealer "told you that you had good compression", did they actually do a compression test? Did they give you the numbers? Or did they just stand there and tell it to you without doing anything. The ONLY way to know if you have good compression is if a compression test is done. 2 sets (one for each rotor) of 3 numbers (one for each rotor face) and a cranking RPM.


Premixing that makes the sound go away doesn't really sound favorable for your engine. Same story with the bucking and nasty metal grinding. My first impression is that your engine is slowly shredding itself internally...

 

20k for a series 1
Take it and run bro

 

I strangely get mine to stop by flooding the intake with carb cleaner while the car is running, and opening and closing the SSV by hand. Makes no sence what so ever, but it worked twice now.

 

Im sure the guy was joking. either that or hes an idiot. He was probably exaggerating. But this is really the only prolonged problem i have ever had with this car. I must have gotten lucky and bought one of the long lasting rx8's lol. They actually did do a compression test. They had some computer hooked to my cars computer under the hood. outside smoking a cig, i can hear them redlining my car, letting it idle then revving and keeping a constant rpm for 30 secs or so. Took them about an hour and a half. I have never messed with my ssv before, if i take that out and clean it, would it help? And no my engine isnt tearing itself apart. I love how you guys think the worst about things first lol. The noise is coming from the transmission. so at most, the whole tranny needs to be replaced. The noise comes from under the center of the car.

BTW.

DO we have 2 or 4 fuel injectors? and where are they?

 

You mean 4 or 6 injectors.

Depends on year and model

 

I have that noise all the time when the engine is idle and I pop the hood. I thought it was just my worn belts?

 

You can remove the SSV and clean it, but it's quiet a bit of work to do. There is a video on here somewhere that shows two guys doing it. And normally it's the linkage for the SSV that is making the tapping noise from what I understand, so not sure if cleaning it would help or not.

 

I have all the time in the world. Time consuming work On my car I love. Gives me something to do, than watching CSI Miami all day. lol.

Any other things like the SSV that I can remove and clean? Even though some of you say if its not broke dont bother it. I think the cleaner things are, the more efficient a motor will run. inside and out.

Also. Im just a regular street driver. I do however take off fast. My friends say I idle at 50. haha. also drive the car on the highways about 100-130 regularly. 70 and 80 and 90 is just too slow for late night driving when im out and about. Everyone tells me, including the dealer. thats why my car has lasted this long. But ive only had it since 40k miles 3 years ago. Some 50yr old woman in texas had it new before me. That was one hell of a drive back here to tampa with no license plates. no temp tag either. Got lucky. But anyways, back on subject.

Ive never replaced the thermostat, the previous owner never did either. I dont have any cooling problems or issues. But I do have another one I bought just in case. Should I just go ahead and replace it or leave it alone? Im just very ocd with my car. everything has to be perfect. its washed 2 times a week and vacummed twice. Ozium gets sprayed inside 3 times a week, seats get polished twice, the whole works. My water pump has also never been touched. never had a problem. Should i get one anyways and replace it just for the hell of it? I would see it this way. Another thing that wont break for a very long time if i replace it now. Belts, and all the general maintenance stuff is all new.