there's a ticking sound under the hood of my car that changes with the rpm's. the thing is it only does it when i turn to the right. i have changed the cv joints and have put in new clutch and flywheel and i'm (and my mechanics) at a loss. has anyone else had this problem or know what could be causing it. my car is a 1995 talon esi and any help would be apreciated Thanks

Originally posted by Acidfried
there's a ticking sound under the hood of my car that changes with the rpm's. the thing is it only does it when i turn to the right. i have changed the cv joints and have put in new clutch and flywheel and i'm (and my mechanics) at a loss. has anyone else had this problem or know what could be causing it. my car is a 1995 talon esi and any help would be apreciated Thanks

Checkt he condition of the balljoints in the front suspension. usually, they groan when they're failing, but I suppose ticking could happen. look for torn boots and grease blobs.

if it's changing by RPM it's probably not suspension-related. I'm kinda out for guesses, was gonna shoot up something with brake rotor but that's MPH factored. we don't have crank walk, loose timing cover maybe? naw, make more of a whine... hmmm

ball joints and boots look fine no grease blobs or anything. timing belt cover was loose but isn't the cause of the sound (had repaired when clutch/flywheel was replaced)had some mechanics tell me it sounded like a loose flywheel bolt but again thats all been replaced. if there's anything else i could post that could help let me know.

Loose flywheel bolt would not matter which way you turned, I'd say something in your suspension is fubared. Unless you only notice it upon turning and actually it is an engine problem. Have you ever noticed it driving just straight or at idle? Or only when you turn?

i only hear it when i turn the steering wheel right (moving or sitting still) and as i increase the rpm's it just ticks more. as soon as i turn the wheel back straight no ticks

Originally posted by Acidfried
i only hear it when i turn the steering wheel right (moving or sitting still) and as i increase the rpm's it just ticks more. as soon as i turn the wheel back straight no ticks

power steering pump.

check your belts mine was making a loud ticking sound and it turned out to be the p/s and ac belt was worn out and ticking as it went over the pulleys

belts are fairly new (been replaced after ticking started)

Are they at the proper tension? Another thing you could do to rule out the P/S and A/C is to temporarily take that belt off and just run the one from the crank to the alt so you battery doesn't die. Just beware turning at a slow rate of speed is a pain in the ass with no P/S, but once you get going it is manageble. If it still ticks then it isn't you P/S system, but rather something else. If it stops on the other hand, then you might want to check your pulleys and make sure aren't bent or loose (it has been known to happen...), but it might be your P/S pump going out or low on fluid. Take the belt off and see if it still there.

what would be the best way to test that?

like he said, pull the p/s & a/c belt off and drive the car in a low-traffic area and see if it still does it. I've been scratchin my head but forgot you said turn right... I'm thinkin left *dumbass me* hence the crankwalk comment

ok so i got up this morning and pulled the belt off and still have the same sounds when i turn right. could it be the water pump maybe? i ask because i saw a little antifreeze on the bottom of the motor when i pulled the belt off.

that's possible... never had one go out on me on an eclipse so not sure of symptoms

Check the lower alternator bolt, I left that a little loose before and it raises hell, also might want to check AC lines and misc. brackets and hoses and stuff make sure nothing is just bouncing around in there.

Hmm...took the belt off and still there? I'm going to revert back to a suspension/frame/wheel-related issue. What might be causing it is beyond me. But for kicks, check to see if all your lug nuts are tightened, if one is loose I suppose it could tick, but usually it's more like a clunking noise. Wheel bearings, hub assembly, a-arm (although that would more less cause a pull the the damaged side)? I'm at a loss as well, anyone else have any ideas?

lugs are tight and i'll check the alt bolt in the morning when i have some daylight to work in.

Originally posted by KnightHawk434th
Hmm...took the belt off and still there? I'm going to revert back to a suspension/frame/wheel-related issue. What might be causing it is beyond me. But for kicks, check to see if all your lug nuts are tightened, if one is loose I suppose it could tick, but usually it's more like a clunking noise. Wheel bearings, hub assembly, a-arm (although that would more less cause a pull the the damaged side)? I'm at a loss as well, anyone else have any ideas?

but I did......lol. Guess I don't count :( :P

Even though it sounds like it is coming from the under the hood, is it possible that is just seems like it is under the hood? I mean he is going to be sitting inside the car, so most noises would sound like they might be originating from under the hood. Without hearing a sound clip it's kinda hard to pinpoint where/what it might be from. Acid, could you maybe get a buddy to go along with you and get a video/sound recording when you are driving?

Also, if it was an exhaust leak then why would it only be audible when turning right? Wouldn't it be audible in just normal driving? I know my leak (flexpipe) is. I don't know, just wondering.

Originally posted by KnightHawk434th
Also, if it was an exhaust leak then why would it only be audible when turning right? Wouldn't it be audible in just normal driving? I know my leak (flexpipe) is. I don't know, just wondering.

Ticking can often be exhaust related. I fixed lots of incidences of rod rap with an exhaust, lol.

Since we're looking for something a bit more unusual, my thinking is that on a right hand turn, the engine may "adjust" slightly and that may generate the ticking. Not the norm but easy and quick enough to check.

I got ya now. I just needed some clarification. Good deal

alt bolts were loose a little but still have same noise after i tightened them up.

Is it a sporadic ticking (like maybe a loose flywheel bolt) or is it consistent? Starter bendix spring weakening, bouncing into flywheel?

consistent. have installed new clutch kit so i'm pretty sure it's not the flywheel. will check the starter in the morning.

Oil level good?

yeh oil level is good but it does burn some oil (i think it's the valve seals). started car and removed started same noise. :(

My girlfriend had the same problem on her 1g, and your gonna laugh when you hear what it was. One of the little stainless clips was missing from her caliper (the one that holds the pad in place). So the pad was clicking back and forth when she turned right. Other than that, I can't believe no one suggested a wheel bearing.

Originally posted by fresh95
I can't believe no one suggested a wheel bearing.

Here's the reason;

Originally posted by Acidfried
there's a ticking sound under the hood of my car that changes with the rpm's.

That's why people are suggesting that it may be something loose.

OP, check for an exhaust leak. Block off muffler with a rag (don't stuff it in there, just hold it over end) and listen for hisses. It could be that the leak is only evident as you turn a certain way.

got a high flow cat on the way so i'll check all the exhaust out when i put it on (should be here any time now) other than that i've had some people tell me it could be the injectors. not sure about how to check them just wondering if that could be an issue?

injectors make a slight ticking in normal operation, but not really noticable unless you're a foot from them, or they're like 1000cc i'd imagine. They wouldn't get louder when turning a corner. The exhaust leak comment sounds promising... there's only so many things that can tick that are RPM-related! What all have you changed on the engine from stock?

ok here's the list of what i've done so far.

Cold air intake
UR under drive pulley
clutch kit (modular)
radiator
Replaced cv joints (both side)
MSD coil

think thats it so far. It's not alot but this is my first "Project Car" (or should i say the first car i've owned that nice enough to want to fix up) and this ticking noise kinda threw a wrench in the works. don't wanna spend too much $$$ if the car is gonna be dead or beyond my means of repairing

Had this happen several times to me, real stupid and easy to check, dust cover on the rotors. There's a stamped steel cover on the inside of the hub and mine must be slightly warped or something as it has occasionally (most often when I take a wheel off to perform some job) bent up so it was contacting the rotor as I drove. It has always taken a simple bend out of the way with a flathead or pair of pliers and problem solved. Just a possible check.

would that make noise sitting still?

okay guys, if it's RPM related.... it's nothing with suspension already!

just got converter in today so i'll check exhaust tomorrow when i put cat on.

Grab a long screwdriver and use as a stethascope and pinpoint the noise. Get back to us when you get its general location. If you never did this before you stick your ear against the handle and put the srewdriver onto a component and it amplifies the sound.

a long wooden broom handle will do the same thing, and it'll keep your head from getting to close to your engine :shrug

Originally posted by KnightHawk434th
a long wooden broom handle will do the same thing, and it'll keep your head from getting to close to your engine :shrug

Originally posted by Slimyjr.
Grab a long screwdriver and use as a stethascope and pinpoint the noise.

Isn't this a little hard to do while the car is taking a right turn?

Lol yea i guess so. Had the mind set when he turned the steering wheel right it did it also -oops. On another note, that will help you when the car is idle!.....

Originally posted by bullettdsm

Originally posted by KnightHawk434th a long wooden broom handle will do the same thing, and it'll keep your head from getting to close to your engine :shrug

Originally posted by Slimyjr. Grab a long screwdriver and use as a stethascope and pinpoint the noise.

Isn't this a little hard to do while the car is taking a right turn?

*sigh...

Originally posted by Acidfried
i only hear it when i turn the steering wheel right (moving or sitting still) and as i increase the rpm's it just ticks more. as soon as i turn the wheel back straight no ticks

Lollers.

Get a friend to sit in the car....turn the wheel right...and up the rpms...grab a screwdriver and go sound searchin.

Originally posted by djtrickee
*sigh...

Originally posted by Acidfried i only hear it when i turn the steering wheel right (moving or sitting still) and as i increase the rpm's it just ticks more. as soon as i turn the wheel back straight no ticks

Lollers.

Ah, you suck (ruining my joke).


Reading comprehension owns me.........

Originally posted by Acidfried
i only hear it when i turn the steering wheel right (moving or sitting still) and as i increase the rpm's it just ticks more. as soon as i turn the wheel back straight no ticks

See now, I missed this whole post and I gotta agree with Deej (crap!) Sounds a lot like it might be power steering. You might want to a least check the fluid.

Originally posted by bullettdsm
See now, I missed this whole post and I gotta agree with Deej (crap!)

It's not THAT bad is it? hahahaha.

well here's the update. it does it all the time now.
turn left right go straight tic tic tic. i cranked it up today and it wont stop now. :( gonna take it into (another) shop tomorrow and let guy check it out

well mechanic says a piece of starter gear broke off and was stuck under the flywheel. he said he got it out and all thats left is to put on a new starter. hopefully this will fix it. will let you know after a visit to auto parts store.

Originally posted by Acidfried
well mechanic says a piece of starter gear broke off and was stuck under the flywheel.

Well, that's a good one. Glad you found it though :thumbsup

finally. Got the starter on and no noise :) thanks so much you guys guess you were right about the starter just wasn't expecting to take it off and have same noise (broke piece of gear on starter was hitting flywheel) but thanks for all the suggestions. now it's off to put on my hi-flo cat :)