I have a freshly built a6 block/z6 head. It runs great but it has a pretty good tick coming from the head. The valves have been adjusted so I know it's not that. The tick happens at idle and under load, but when slowing down in gear there is no sound. I have great oil pressure so I'm not considering that it's rod knock, it's also too high pitched to be rod knock. I have spun plenty of bearings.

 

Wrist pin, broken valve spring, etc. Pull individual plug wires and see if that makes it go away.

 

if its a wrist pin, im jumping off a bridge. that though was in the back of my mind, but i am really hoping it isnt.

i changed the LMA's for another set of used ones i had and the problem went away till it warmed up. before it would do it cold or hot.

i am assuming if the problem goes away with a plug wire pulled that means wrist pin huh?

the valve springs are good. i looked the whole valve train over pretty damn good

 

Probably, but not 100%. Try it.

 

it seems to get louder when i pull plug wires, but it doesnt matter which ones. it sounds the same when i pull each one

 

if its a wrist pin, couldnt i use a dial indicator and along rod on top of the piston through the plug hole to see if i can move the crank and the piston sit still for a few degrees?

 

Maybe. The pin might have side wear, also it might be slightly bound when not in operation.

 

i guess i should have mentioned that these are vitara pistons with the clips to keep the wrist pins in

 

They can still have side wear in a similar fashion. The clips can be worn away though, would run the pin against the bore and trash it.

 

i took a short video of it running and then realized i cant find a cord to connect the camera. im sure i have like 15 of these things and i cant find a single one.

it looks like i am going to pull the damn thing apart. this is what i get for getting used parts