So when i start my car in the morning it makes a ticking sound and i think i need to adjust my valves (the ticking goes away when it warms up). I've found some DIY write ups that i think i'll use but when it comes to the clearances for setting the valves i'm not sure which way to go. I found that the clearance on the intake side should be between 0.007-0.009 and the clearance on the exhaust side should be 0.009-0.011.

So my question is do i set the intake to 0.007 and then the exhaust to 0.009 or what is a good combo between the exhaust and intake side. I'm running 10 pounds of boost on a totally stock D16 if that makes any difference.

Any input helps!

 

try those numbers and see. I would suspect if it goes away once warm your likely hearing a bit of piston slap

 

ok i'll try it out this weekend. I thought that your valves can make a ticking sound until your engine gets warm as well. Or am i wrong, the ticking sounds like it would only be coming from one cylinder?

 

oh and maybe a stupid question, but if it is piston slap is there a way to get rid of it besides getting new pistons etc...?

 

If its fine once warm I wouldn't worry to much about a little piston noise. Try setting the valves(quick and easy to do), it might take care of most of what your hearing.

 

ya i'll set the valves and see if that helps. Thanks!

 

your lifters should be hydraulic. there is no adjustment. piston slap is more of a knock, than a tick. most likely your lifter oil channels are partially clogged with sludge buildup. when your engine warms up, the oil becomes thinner and it is able to get into the partially clogged oil passages causing the ticking noise to stop. go get a couple of bottles of this stuff called seafoam. add it to your oil and drive it for a week or so. its a very strong detergent concentrate and it should clean the clogged oil passages and any other sludge buildup you have.

 

lol next you will say the cam's in the block and not over the head.