I noticed the car makes a loud ticking noise under harder acceleration. Most noticeable when I'm in a high gear going uphill. Tge car doesn't seem to be down on power or anything. The ticking matches rpm. What is this?

Probably an exhaust leak at the head... maybe a cracked exhaust manilfold.

Am I going to hurt anything by driving it like that? I'm not putting much money into this engine except important repairs and maintenance. It has 150,000 miles on the motor.

I would figure out where the leak is and make sure it is not going to melt anything or set the car on fire, other than that you are likely just fine. Larry

I think it might be the forward exhaust manifold. Anything up there to catch on fire?

I've been told that an exhaust leak prior to the o2 sensor will result in poor gas mileage, as air actually gets "sucked" into the opening (when exhaust from the closest cylinder isn't pushing out), and this then fools the sensor/ECM.

I just replaced my exhaust manifold gaskets. I had the same ticking prior to changing them. Changing them was a big pain. Took about 4-5 hours total working on the driveway with no air tools.
Sounded like a sewing machine on roids?

quote Originally posted by Shonyman32: I just replaced my exhaust manifold gaskets. I had the same ticking prior to changing them. Changing them was a big pain. Took about 4-5 hours total working on the driveway with no air tools. Sounded like a sewing machine on roids?

Yeah that's exactly what it sounded like!

Yeah it will "probably" not be an issue, except that you might lose performance, fuel economy, or both. And it's annoying. I had the same thing on my Fiero when I bought it.

I was lucky and the bolts came out of the head easily. They frequently break if you remove them to replace the gasket. Access to them isn't THAT bad if you can get the catalytic converter out of the way. My converter was clamped in place so it was easy to move, the factory one is welded so its not as easy. Drilling out broken studs will not be fun, however.

I would say if you do replace your exhaust manifold gaskets get the volkswagen ones from rock auto (cheapest place).
my gaskets failed in 200 miles of driving (possible I installed them wrong though)

Make sure its an exhaust leak first. You might be hearing pinging from timing being too far advanced. That CAN destroy an engine. People describe noises differently.

I don't think its pinging. It doesn't sound like metal on metal tapping. It actually sounds like lifter ticking except it isn't.

Here is what my "ticking" exhaust manifold looked like (previously posted on PFF):

quote Originally posted by RilesOfSmiles: Am I going to hurt anything by driving it like that?

Not unless you consider burned wiring or an engine compartment fire serious. Fix it. It won't get better by itself.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: I've been told that an exhaust leak prior to the o2 sensor will result in poor gas mileage, as air actually gets "sucked" into the opening (when exhaust from the closest cylinder isn't pushing out), and this then fools the sensor/ECM.

That is correct.

[This message has been edited by Marvin McInnis (edited 08-27-2013).]

Mine sounded like a lifter tick too but I would re-time your car if it were me because if it is pinging that will destroy the engine quickly. Better to be safe than sorry.

So I just got in from doing to timing and I think I found the problem. It was like 20-30 degrees advanced. I hope I didn't break anything.

quote Originally posted by RilesOfSmiles: It was like 20-30 degrees advanced.

Was that with or without the jumper in place?

What jumper? And its still ticking!!!! actually at idle it almost sounds like more of a tapping but isn't loud enough to make me think its a spun bearing.

quote Originally posted by RilesOfSmiles: What jumper? And its still ticking!!!!

Great, so now you've got retarded ignition timing to go with the exhaust leak!

quote Originally posted by RilesOfSmiles: What jumper?

The time to ask questions like this is before performing a procedure, not after ... especially if you've never done it before.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Great, so now you've got retarded ignition timing to go with the exhaust leak!

X2

No no haha I mean what is a jumper? I used a timing light and set the timing perfectly. Its just that the noise is still there.

To time it correctly you must put a piece of metal between the A and B connections on the ALDL port. The ALDL port is behind the cigarette lighter interior panel.
Doing this puts the engine into diagnostic mode and you are supposed to time the engine in diagnostic mode.

[This message has been edited by Shonyman32 (edited 08-28-2013).]

quote Originally posted by Shonyman32: To time it correctly you must put a piece of metal between the A and B connections on the ALDL port. The ALDL port is behind the cigarette lighter interior panel. Doing this puts the engine into diagnostic mode and you are supposed to time the engine in diagnostic mode.

I did that too

quote Originally posted by RilesOfSmiles: No no haha I mean what is a jumper? I used a timing light and set the timing perfectly.

You say you correctly timed the engine (while jumping the A-B ALDL terminals), but you don't know what a "jumper" is?

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 08-28-2013).]

Haha oh thats what you mean! I just call it shorting the connector I didn't know thats what you meant. The engine is correctly timed but it still has the ticking/tapping noise.