(Home) Loud ticking noise on acceleration

Hi, could anyone please lend some advice. I’ve got a 1995 2CT Townace that I love very much. Unfortunately, I’ve only owned this baby for a few weeks and am losing confidence in her. First problem was overheating and a £640 repair bill. Now got my ‘Mason’ alarm on which is quite self-comforting. Since having it back it has devolved a loud ticking when the accelerator is pushed. In drive the noise speeds up as I get faster with little change as the gears go up. The noise stops completely when not pressing the accelerator in drive even at high speeds. In L, 2 and Reverse the noise ticks faster and louder the faster it moves. In N if I put my foot down quite quickly the ticking gets loader the more I push but is not as loud as when I’m driving. In N I can slowly bring it up to about 3000 with it making a noise.
I’ve tried to locate the noise and it appears to be on the drivers’ side of the engine under the turbo or maybe the exhaust? I’ve got though Ace Answers and cannot find any information on this problem.
Thanks
Me and girlfriend really like this car and wanted to attempt a euro trip this summer but want reassurance that it’s up to the job? Any advice bearing in mind I’m 19 and pretty much all my student loan went on insurance so I’ve not got much more to spend.

Thanks everyone.

Al
- (#11084) Alan Coleman, 24 May 04 19:35

Sounds like a blown manifold gasket or possibly a cracked manifold. Do you know if the manifold were stripped off the head during the overhaul? Not too major tho...

- (#11084) David Miller, 25 May 04 00:43

I agree David, this sounds like a manifold blow. The reason it doesn't do it in N is that there is no engine load, thus no exhaust pressure. The noise will be louder as the load increases. You may also find that the noise changes as the engine heats up, sometimes it will go away when hot due to expansion closing up the hole. Unfortunately the only sure way to tell is to take off the exhaust manifold and inspect it. Always use new gaskets!

- (#11084) John Shaw, 25 May 04 00:52

Thanks David and John. Should I take it back to the engine shop where I got the head done, or cheaper option, would a mate who works with exhausts (at national tyres and exhausts) know where to start.
Is my townie okay to drive? should I let her warm up first?
Is there any basic checks I can do?
Thanks again

- (#11084) Alan Coleman, 25 May 04 03:06

No disrespect to your mate but this isn't a chop and replace exhaust pipe problem but a second opinion from someone hearing and seeing the problem is a must. It could be the exhaust manifold but a whistle rather than a ticking is more commonplace here. The fact that the head has just undergone major surgery has to raise suspicions in this area ie. it was ok before someone took it apart now it is making a strange noise.

An independant diagnosis before taking it back to the garage that did the head job would be my advice.

- (#11084) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 25 May 04 04:32