Maries8

My 8's engine is making a rather noticeable tapping/clicking sound. It reminds me of "valve tap," though I realize that can't be it, lol.

It's a bit like fuel injector clicking too, but it's kinda loud to be that.

It's coming from the center/driver's side, and towards the firewall... so it doesn't seem to be a belt or anything like that.

Frequency is totally dependent on engine revs. Taps whether moving or idling, clutch in or out.

No warning lights, oil level is fine (though I put more in to the full mark just to see if that helped - still taps though). No power problems, everything RUNS just fine. But it TAP TAP TAPs...

2004, all recalls done, never had an engine problem.

Sound familiar to anyone?

Come on, tell me they ALL tap, and I'm just paranoid and never noticed it before

AJ's Shinka

PM DOMINION he just fixed his tapping sound but I can't think of what it was. I will page him.

Maries8

I love this forum!!!!!

I searched on "ticking" rather than clicking and tapping... and found the threads about loose spark plug wires.

I checked.

The one wire down near the dipstick was practically disconnected. I could see the actual white of the plug. Pushed it back on (and made sure the other one was tight too). No more noise!

Or well, it's 90% gone anyway. I'm assuming SOME faint clicking from the plugs is normal?

Unless the other ones are loose. I have no idea how to get to them though. Yet.

dozer

iTrader: (3)

marie your welcome

Maries8

I'm baking you some cookies

Maries8

OK, I give. Can I check the plug wires for the rear plugs by reaching down through the engine bay? Just to check that the plug wires are tight, not to change the plugs or anything?

The posts I've read seem to all say you need to get at them by crawling under the car

dozer

iTrader: (3)

all 4 plugs are right next to each other, like a square pattern

1 2

3 4

you get what im sayin?

Maries8

Just a followup question?

As you see, I had a problem with a loose spark plug wire or two a month or so ago, where at least one plug cover was far enough off to the point I could see the white of the plug. The engine was making a horrible ticking (arcing) sound. I pushed the caps on tight, and the sound MOSTLY went away.

There still is a faint ticking from that area, but nothing like it was before. I could hear the ticking from inside the car before. Now I'd have to stand by the engine to hear it.

But since that problem, my car has become more and more difficult to start. It cranks just fine, but has trouble "firing." It sputters a bit, then a bit more, then finally keeps running. But it can sometimes take 4-6 seconds of cranking to get it going. Normally it's just a second or two.

Otherwise, once running, it's fine. It just seems to be a problem when starting.

Could the plug wires or plugs themselves have been damaged by the arcing when the caps were loose?

2004, no mods, regular maintenance always done. No engine problems otherwise.

Cam

iTrader: (1)

I would replace your plugs/wires. The arcing could definetly have damaged them. Might want to check your coils as well.

I was starting to have longer start times as well a few months ago, and then one night downshifting from 5th to 3rd my engine bogged, cel flashed (misfire). I lost a coil. I believe my coils were just so weak leading up to that is what was causing the longer starts.

Once I changed plugs/coils/wires it fired up like new again. This was around the 45K mile mark. I have a 2004 as well.

Maries8

Thank you! I made an appt with the dealer for tomorrow, and gave him those clues/suggestions.

I hate it when my baby is sick! Hopefully that's all it is, and nothing serious. Aside from a little flooding incident (my fault entirely), it's been wonderfully reliable otherwise for five years now.

Thanks again!

dozer

iTrader: (3)

^the dealerships gonna charge up the yin yang...you should get in touch with some local members and maybe they can help with the install, itll save you a sh*t load of money

Maries8

Awl, I know, I know... but I really need my baby back ASAP. And my dealer (Flemington Mazda in NJ) has been pretty good and fair to me over the years

Being worked on today, so we shall see!

Maries8

OK, new coils, plugs and wires... and it's better. But not perfect.

Before the new coils/plus/wires, it had a problem where it always took 4-6 seconds to get it to start, with it kinda sputtering the whole time. It'd almost fire up now and then while cranking, making that scratchy starter sound like when you hold the key on too long after the engine starts. Then after 4-6 seconds, it would finally be running.

With the new parts, it doesn't do the sputtering or starter screech sounds anymore. But it does still take 4-5 seconds to start sometimes, maybe 50% of the times I start it. That may not sound like long, but it's long enough to just start wondering if it IS going to start.

The first few years I owned the car, I swear it always consistently started in 1-2 seconds. Only in the last few months has it taken 4-6 seconds half the time, so I still fear something is failing.

It runs fine once started.

Am I paranoid? Does anyone else's car take that 4+ seconds to start?

Could it be a failing fuel pump?

rotarenvy

I hate to say it but "compression test"
I recently had some starting issues and my rear rotor while not completely stuffed hasn't got regular pulses.

Rote8

It's a valve......

LOL

rx8cited

Did ever have battery and starter upgraded? I chose not to since it started my car started fine IMHO. I'm surprised no one has brought that up yet .... not that that's necessarily the problem.

Maries8

Yup! I think they did that back when I flooded it a year+ ago. Yea, yea, I know. My bad.

It's so random, it usually starts fine now. But every now and then, now more like 1 in 10, it'll take a LONG time to "fire," like as much as 5-6 seconds... which is longer than it sounds.

I made sure the new plug wires are all tight. It has new coils and new plugs. Starter and battery upgrade done a year or two ago. Air filter looks almost new.

The dealer had it, and felt that it was the plugs/coils/wires being corroded which they replaced. And it did start fine the first few times since I got it back, but now I get these 5-7 second startup times now and then again.

Failing fuel pump? Bad starter? It runs perfect once started, it just takes forever to start sometimes.

DarkBrew

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx1XIm6q4r4

Occasional long starts are in the normal range.

Relax and enjoy the car

Drift

Thank you RX8Club!

I searched and found this thread after my 8 started make a loud "tapping" noise on the driver side of the engine. I could hear it from into the car. It had no other symtoms - ran perfectly.

After reading this I checked the four wire connection at the coils then traced the wires down to the plugs starting at the back rotor. I found the very front wire had backed off the plug. It now purrs like normal! I did notice that I can easily slide the wire back and forth on the plug. If there a fix for this? I could see this happening to most cars since they are so loose.

Again thanks and I hope this helps someone else which is why I wanted to post.

CHAVOSTRONG6,8

i still have the tapping on my 8. everything on solid, new ign coil, wires, plugs. held them down and still that valve taping sound. whats else? looked in to the ssv but sounds now where near that...

JCMRX8

I just recently found myself with the same problem. Turns out the small grommet at the end of the vdi actuator arm fell off, probably from dry rot, and gave the actuator arm a few mm of play. When I was checking the valve and moved the rod it made that very familiar noise. I made one from a small piece of old spark plug wire. If this is your problem be super careful removing and installing the circlip!