Audible ticking/tapping on intake side of cam cover on SE

JustinK · Postby **JustinK** » Tue Aug 04, 2015 11:15 am

G'day guys.

I have a 2004 SE.

I bought it in June 2015, and have done about 3,000kms since (it now has about 104,000km on it).

I haven't had much cause to stick my head in the engine bay since I bought it but I have recently and noticed that there is a constant rhythmical tapping/ticking sound coming from the intake side of the cam cover - the exhaust side is silent compared.

I noticed it both hot (ie after an hour driving) and on cold start.

I have been surfing the net for a solution (that is if it's a problem) and haven't been able to pinpoint anything.

Knowing that the the SE has solid lifters, and no VVT, can anyone give me any ideas of what it is, if it's a problem, and how to fix it?

80k and 100k service have been done. Dealer I bought her from gave me a receipt for having done an engine oil and filter change at 102k, but could be bogus.

Looking forward to your help.

Cheers,

Jk

ManiacLachy · Postby **ManiacLachy** » Tue Aug 04, 2015 11:39 am

Welcome to the forums!

Sorry I can't help you much with a diagnoses, but someone here likely can. If not, try taking it to an MX-5 specialist - not necessarily a dealer, let us know where you are and I'm sure there will be recommendations.

Also, check out the mazda-speed.com forums, it's dedicated to the Mazda Speed Miata, which is what the American's called the SE - same car, same motor, very minor differences. There could be some information there for you.

Be sure to post up some pics of your car when you can, we like that sort of thing :wink:

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Tue Aug 04, 2015 11:43 am

JustinK wrote:80k and 100k service have been done. Dealer I bought her from gave me a receipt for having done an engine oil and filter change at 102k, but could be bogus.

Congrats on the purchase Justin and welcome to the obsession! :mrgreen:

The timing belt should have been done with the 100K service (you normally do the water pump at the same time as a matter of course).
Is this shown on any of the receipts?

Where abouts are you located, there's a lot of helpful souls on the forums and it will make it easier to point you in the direction of a good MX5 specialist mechanic if required. :wink:

Danny · Postby **Danny** » Tue Aug 04, 2015 11:57 am

Probably the injectors and normal. Get an auto stethoscope http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Mechanic ... 257bc6dc3a to confirm.

Postby **NitroDann** » Tue Aug 04, 2015 11:58 am

Its the fuel injectors.

Roadrunner · Postby **Roadrunner** » Tue Aug 04, 2015 4:48 pm

I had this moment when I first got mine.
Definitely the injectors ;)

Where are you located?

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Aug 04, 2015 5:06 pm

As others, likely to be injectors.

Get a screwdriver and press the end of it onto the rocker cover on the intake side, then the exhaust side, and press your ear to the handle.

the sound is transmitted through the screwdriver allowing you to more accurately hear where a noise is from (you'll likely hear a whirring from each cam as it's spinning)
If you put it to the injectors you'll likely hear a rythmic ticking, which is most likely to be your noise (and it's normal by the way)

If you're using the screwdriver method just be careful around the plug leads, if they're in average condition and one arcs to the screwdriver it will hurt like all hell. (they shouldn't arc at all, but sometimes as leads get old they do funny stuff. I've been shocked a few times my touching leads where the insulation is stuffed, but it looks ok visually)

JustinK · Postby **JustinK** » Fri Aug 07, 2015 10:32 am

Thanks guys!

Really appreciate this help...didn't even consider it could be the injectors! Thought there might have been a problem with the intake valve train.

Is it detrimental to the engine if I don't replace them immediately?

Also should I upgrade the injectors to larger items then...? Or is there no point unless I get a tune for them to operate properly?

@Roadrunner - Sydney, Inner West

@Nevyn72 - Yeah all done.

@Rascal - OK great thanks.

Cheers,

Jk

rascal · Postby **rascal** » Fri Aug 07, 2015 10:35 am

The injectors ticking is normal. Its just them opening/closing.
You don't need to replace or fix them..

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Fri Aug 07, 2015 10:45 am

JustinK wrote:@Roadrunner - Sydney, Inner West

@Nevyn72 - Yeah all done.

Good to hear as the timing belt replacement isn't cheap! :wink:

Have you joined the MX5 club yet?
Well worth it and they run lots of events so you can meet other owners and like minded souls. :mrgreen:

Maybe try and attend a couple of organised runs or social events and see how you like it before deciding whether to join.
http://nsw.mx5.com.au/events/all-events

BTW: what colour is your SE?
and....... WE NEED SOME PICTURES!!!!! :mrgreen:

JustinK · Postby **JustinK** » Fri Aug 07, 2015 11:10 am

@Nevyn72 - OK I'll put some up today :-)

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Fri Aug 07, 2015 11:15 am

Welcome JustinK ...

I also wondered about the noise from these injectors when I first got my SE. I don't recall my other 5's making as much noise ... or maybe it's just that I enjoy looking under the bonnet of this one more

BTW ... you could also add your details to the SE Owners List

JustinK · Postby **JustinK** » Fri Aug 07, 2015 11:18 am

Thanks @KevGoat will do.

No idea how to add pics...will need to have a read through all the forum settings and will post asap :-)

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri Aug 07, 2015 2:55 pm

JustinK wrote:Thanks guys!

Really appreciate this help...didn't even consider it could be the injectors! Thought there might have been a problem with the intake valve train.

Is it detrimental to the engine if I don't replace them immediately?

Also should I upgrade the injectors to larger items then...? Or is there no point unless I get a tune for them to operate properly?

As said earlier, it's normal for them to tick. they are basically just a tiny solenoid valve that opens and closes rapidly, that opening and closing is the ticking noise.
If the car runs fine and isn't blowing smoke, or down on power, etc then there's a very low likelihood that any injector has an issue (usually when they die they'll stick either open or close, either way the car will run like garbage)

When you do go to replace them, many years down the line, there's no reason to go larger than what you have.
larger injectors are only useful when you need more fuel in the engine, due to a larger turbo, more boost pressure, basicaly if you've also added more air.
Even then, the standard injectors are larger than needed on a stock engine, so you do have some headroom before they run out of puff.

Roadrunner · Postby **Roadrunner** » Fri Aug 07, 2015 10:18 pm

JustinK wrote:Thanks @KevGoat will do.

No idea how to add pics...will need to have a read through all the forum settings and will post asap :-)

Easiest way to add photos is to open a photo bucket account. Upload your photos there and then copy and paste the [IMG] link it provides.
You can even set photo bucket to resize your images to 1000px wide etc as you upload so they aren't displayed huge for people on mobiles.