So, I bought my car... its got 60k miles on it. I got it, it was fine. Good power, steady too. Now, im getting this noise. Constantly ticking, but only after running for a half hour or so. When started cold, sounds perfect. So, ive been lookin around and it seems like it could the timing chain tensioner.

Here's a video i found, and seems like quite a few people are having this issue with their s2's. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H4EPpsKfOw - Read the comments.

I did an oil change, and it was fine for a bit - then came right back.

Has anyone here had the same issue? What did they do to resolve it? And... how much did it cost ya? Haha.

 

hmmm....i have that same noise too i think

Never really thought about it too much.

 

Yeah, it feels like im gettin powerloss too.... shitty pull in 2nd gear, car doesnt seem as peppy as when i 1st got it. Maybe im just used to the power now (or lackthereof) - getting some boggin too... could be the sparkplug (Happens at low rpm's) could be a clogged cat. I DONT KNOWWWWWW.... Can anyone recommend a good shop in Calgary area? One I could trust. Not just some greasemonkeys who cant tell a difference from a shit and a wet fart?

 

I watched the youtube vid, everything sounds fine. Is it hot where you are right now? The power loss could be due to heat soak. Everyone gets that in the summer if you're idling a lot.

 

I live in a fairly cool area (Banff) - doesnt get extremely hot. hovers around 20-23 tops. Im thinking it could be a clogged cat. Im just gonna punch it out, see what happens. Or get a test pipe.

 

Clogged cat would feel like something else. Even though your area may not seem that hot, the motor is still producing a lot of heat. Don't be suprised to see under hood temps high into the 100 degrees range when the car is stilling with the motor running as there is no air flow to cool things.
Don't bother punching out the cat. If you want to use this as an excuse to get a test pipe, by all means. = )

The ticking sound you hear could be the TCT or the vavle train. Perhaps trying a different grade of oil. Instead of 10w30, try 5w30. I know this is the simple solution for valve train clatter on cold startup for the SR20DE's.

But hey, you can do all the cheap and easy stuff first like new plugs and an oil change to a different oil.