CityOfAngels

So I've been hearing this strange noise from my car. I'm not sure if it's always been there and I've just been noticing it recently since I have the windows down during the summer.

It's kinda of a ticking sound that is pretty easy to hear. It only happens when I'm on the throttle. It does not happen when I'm at speed and just cruise. It does not happen when I left off the throttle even at a high RPM. It is only there when I am pressing the throttle. Any ideas?

I check the engine (belts, pulley) and everything seems to be fine and the car is functioning perfectly. I just had it serviced a few months ago and they said it was all great. The only reason I am worried is because I don't recall hearing this sound over a year ago.

BBBSS

Could it be an exhaust leak?

CityOfAngels

I'm not too familiar with those so can't say. But it sounds like it's coming from under the hood (not sure if exhaust leak would be near the headers or at the end near the mufflers). Perhaps the catalytic converter?

CityOfAngels

I just noticed it only happens when the car is in drive, not in park or neutral.

rchase

ill just say this... my ash trays in the rear rattle at a certain point when accelerating or at a certain RMP... Took me a few days to get to the bottom of it...

CityOfAngels

LOL I'll give it a check, but I'm pretty sure thats not it.

HeissRod

Does the ticking increase or decrease as rpms change?

CityOfAngels

I'll have to double check this tonight. I think it get's louder as the RPM increases.

mekantor

Its possible that a belt is in the process of tearing tearing and a strand of it is hitting stuff.

CityOfAngels

But isn't the belt still moving when I rev the car in Park/Neutral? No noise in those cases.

Sir-Boost-a-Lot

iTrader: (1)

How loud is it? Is it louder or softer with the windows up?

MACEDON

Damn it, I have this issue too but no update in any thread I find

SICAMG

Do this.... Take the supercharger belt off. Than drive it to where it usually makes the noise . If it is gone or much much quieter it's the exhaust leaking under boost when your on it. Easy to test.

MACEDON

I'll try it today when I get home from work. It definitely is in the SC clutch zone on the throttle.

Tomorrow morning I'm digging in to tighten the headers anyway. I took it back to the mechanic that installed my mids and he couldn't figure out the ticking, but what I really think it is- like you said, the heads are LEAKING. We had it up on a lift and it was most intense on the driver side by the left wheel really, where the heads are. Most likely cylinder 8 because it is the hardest one to get to.