this is not a very technical description, but i swear that over the past 3-5000 miles my s2000 has developed a rather "ticky" engine. it's quiet enough that most passengers or non s2000 drivers would probably not notice it, but when i drive with the top down near a wall or solid guardrail i can hear a distinct ticktickticktick sound at a very fast pace. it seems most noticeable at the midrange and relatively low engine speeds.

i have never heard noisy, badly clearanced, valves, but this sounds like what i imagine they would sound like. the car has around 10,000 miles on it, which seems much, much too few to really need a valve adjustment. i have never mis-shifted and rarely bounced off the rev limiter.

any thought? just my imagination making more of somthing than it really is?

 

I think some people have recently been mentioning their engines being ticky and basically, other have said this is pretty much the Honda sound at low rpms. If the ticks aren't really distinct then it is okay. If it is scored cyclinder then it will fail sooner or later and you have warrantee.

 

Have you checked your tires to see if there is something lodged there? Failing this, take a look here:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...839#post1355839

 

How does it sound at idle? Does it get better or worse as the engine heats up?

I don't think I've ever been able to hear valve tick while driving next to a wall. I am just guessing, but if it is a cylinder or rod bearing failure, it seems that it would be worse after the car warmed up, while valve noise is worse when the engine is cold.

 

Schwett, I have perceived the same thing with my '02. You can't don't hear it with the top up and the windows closed. Only when you have the top down, radio off, and drive by a wall or other object that reflects the sound back to you. To my ears, it doesn't sound like the valvetrain, and seems to be coming more from under the car. I'm wondering if it's just noise from accessories and stuff. It's definitely tied to engine rpm.

My car only has about 5k miles. I'll probably inquire about the sound the next time I have the oil changed.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jeffbrig
[B]Schwett, I have perceived the same thing with my '02.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by xviper
[B]
To be sure that it is engine rpm related, next time you are next to that wall and you hear the noise, push in your clutch and let the engine go to idle.

 

you may ask your service dude the listen and give his opinion. My opinion is if it's a *slight* ticking, more noticeable at startup, and lessening slightly when warmed up, it's probably valvetrain chatter. Mine does this. The other two Honda's (81 and 87 accord) have done this, and I've typically heard it from other Honda's as well. I'm used to it and don't think much of it except that I love it as the "honda sound".

i think gernby gave sound advice on internal worries....

 

thanks for all the input guys. i'm going to take some time this weekend to attempt to determine when it happens, whether it's rpm based or vehicle speed based...

 

Fuel injector tick??? I've seen other cars develop what seemed to be valvetrain clatter that ended up being just noisey fuel injectors.