Hi everyone!

My 2006 S2000 recently developed issue, engine ticking/clicking at all rev range. So, title pretty much self-explanatory, as soon as engine dropping RMPs from cold start, I can hear the tick. I can barely notice it when cold. It gets quite after 10-20 min drive and sometimes tick "skipping". It rhythmical and constant. Billman said frequency is too low for timing chain. I recently put new TCT from Ballade (previous one was also Ballade, I had it for 4 years) and absolutely no change. I did valve adjustment (second one in last 12 months), no change. Tech said valve train is alright, in fact, two different shops said that. A few weeks ago replaced blown test-pipe gasket. No change, may be slightest bit. One thing, it became more quiet after awhile, the video is taken when it was the loudest. Car do not consume any oil, the only time I had low oil was after oil change at Honda dealershi(t)p. It was on L mark and again, both techs said it would not cause any issues. I topped it off to H mark. The problem started before that anyway. I took trip to LA (400 miles total) and I had issue ever since. Here are videos of ticking. No loss in power, if anything, after VA it has more power. Any help highly appreciated.

 

I'm no expert on these things, but the noise doesn't sound too bad.

Do you still have the Ballade tensioner in your car? May want to think about getting a Billman unit.

 

Im not sure if it's going to help. Like I said, I DM'ed Billman and he said it is not chain related. You can hear it on second video, when I put mic to the timing chain, it is pretty quiet, it is the loudest on the sides. I would expect at least a slightest change after new TCT, but there is none.

Could it be bent valve? I "overreved" car once by ~200 RMPs like 3 years ago (2nd gear ~48-49mph). Could tech check valves from top valve train cover?

And yeah, the noise not that bad, but it is super annoying and I don't want engine to blow up because of some minor problem. Tech clueless, asked 2.5K(!!!!) for diagnostics to remove timing chain cover. No, just not. Not because I don't want to spend money but because they not sure themselves what it is.

 

Compression test will tell you if it's a bent valve.

Personally, I'd replace that Ballade tensioner with Billman's.

 

That makes sense to do, had to start with it to be honest. I will do compression test this weekend and post results.

 

Ball Bearings in the Pulleys of the Serpentine Belt?

 

What header is in the car? Did you install the TCT yourself?

 

Given that this is relatively pain free to check--engine mounts? Had a ticking (albeit certainly not that loud, nor anywhere that rhythmical) that went away after replacing engine mounts. I'd also check the bolts that the rubber mount itself is mounted on.

Hope the compression test goes well.

 

Get rid of ballade tensioner before it causes issues you don't already have. It can overtension chain, wreck havoc.

 

Really easy to verify this. Just slip belt off pulley so its no longer tensioned, start engine see if noise gone.

Won't hurt anything run engine short time without belt. Just don't let it overheat. Belt doesn't have to be removed from bay. Ok to leave it in place untensioned. Easier to go back on.